Nurse Practitioners provide care to patients of all ages and ensure their physical fitness and well being. They perform critical physical examinations and treat illness and injuries apart from providing immunization and care. They also manage the patients’ blood pressure, diabetes, depression and other chronic ailments. It is the responsibility of Nurse Practitioners to handle the reports of X-Rays and EKGs as well as other laboratory tests. They also educate and counsel patients and their families regarding healthy living.

Nurse Practitioners work in clinics, offices, care facilities, hospitals besides providing personal services at home. Their work places also include college campuses, non-profit organizations and government agencies.

Education Requirements:

1. Earn an Undergraduate Degree in Nursing. It’s mandatory for aspiring Nurse Practitioners to go for an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing. The under-graduate degree program usually takes two years to complete.

2. Get a Bachelor’s Degree. A Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing is the next level when it comes to education requirements to become a Nurse Practitioner. The four-year program may consist of various subjects such as pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, pediatric nursing and community health.

3. Licensure: A license from the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is must for Nurse Practitioners to get employment in the United States. They must be proficient in Problem solving, decision making, written and oral communication skills.

Salary & Job Outlook: The career outlook for Nurse Practitioners remains excellent. In 2013, the average salary of Nurse Practitioners was $92,670 per year. Top Nurse Practitioners may earn up to $126,250 per year.