Are you a nurse who is considering making a rewarding career change? If so, you should consider becoming a nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioners enjoy many benefits, including high salaries and excellent job security. In this blog post, we will discuss the top reasons why nurse practitioners have one of the best nursing careers in the world!
No matter what clinical setting, primary care, preventive care, or critical care, family nurse practitioners, mental health nurse practitioners, and pediatric nurse practitioners can make a difference in people’s lives and provide high-quality care to the patient population.
The nursing profession is in high demand and is projected to grow by 31% by 2024.
As the population grows and ages, the demand for healthcare services will continue to increase. There will be plenty of job opportunities for nurse practitioners in the future. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nursing profession is expected to grow by 31% by 2024.
This rapid growth is because nurse practitioners can provide high-quality, cost-effective care. Nurse practitioners can also diagnose and treat patients independently, which reduces the need for expensive and time-consuming trips to the doctor.
Nurse practitioners enjoy a high median salary.
Not only is the nursing profession in high demand, but nurse practitioners also enjoy a very high and competitive salary. The median salary for nurse practitioners is $100,000, potentially earning even more, depending on experience and specialization. For example, nurse practitioners who specialize in the emergency department or critical care can expect even higher salaries.
In addition to high salaries, nurse practitioners also enjoy excellent job security. The unemployment rate for nurse practitioners is only 0.95%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Because nurse practitioners are in such high demand, there is little risk of becoming unemployed.
Nurse Practitioners have a wide range of career opportunities available to them.
Another great benefit of becoming a nurse practitioner is the wide range of available career opportunities. Nurse practitioners can work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, private practices, and even home healthcare agencies.
Nurse practitioners also have the opportunity to specialize in a particular area of medicine. For example, nurse practitioners can specialize in pediatrics, women’s health, or geriatrics. Nurse practitioners can even choose to become certified nurse-midwives or nurse anesthetists.
Autonomy
Advanced education and training give nurse practitioners much more autonomy than they typically experience as an RN. While physicians work under expert clinicians such as doctors, nurse practitioners can be independent in their practices with full practice authority across certain states where it is allowed by law or regulation.
Flexible Education Options
A nurse can take several different paths to become a nurse practitioner. Online, part-time, bridge, and direct entry options are available.
Online
Online learning has become increasingly popular in recent years. Some programs allow students to complete their courses online. In contrast, others require minimal time on campus and offer either synchronous (taking place at the exact moment) or asynchronous modes of instruction–with some providing a combination thereof!
Part-time
Nurses who want to maintain their jobs while completing courses on the side may find themselves opting for part-time programs. These allow them more flexibility and often better pay than full-time positions, but it does take longer before you can finish your degree!
Bridge
Bridge programs are designed for RNs or LPNs with an associate degree in nursing instead of a bachelors. This option allows them to get their BSN and MSN simultaneously, saving you time/money!
Direct entry
Direct entry programs are designed for students who want to become registered nurses without having a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The program is accelerated, meaning it takes three years instead of five or six like most other undergraduate degrees do these days.
In conclusion, the nursing profession is multiplying and offers many exciting opportunities. If you are looking for a high-demand, well-paid career with lots of autonomy, becoming a nurse practitioner is a perfect choice. And if you need help finding the proper nurse practitioner role, don’t hesitate to reach out to Engaged Headhunters. Or, if you are a healthcare facility and need help finding a fantastic nurse practitioner, we can assist with that too. We have several years of experience helping nurses find their dream jobs and would be happy to assist you in your search. So don’t hesitate! Contact us today!
