Nurse Practitioner

Your Fit

Income

$114K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

44.5%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Nurse Practitioner?

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who provide primary, acute, and specialty healthcare services. They diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and undertake patient management plans.

Sample job titles:

ACNP (Acute Care Nurse Practitioner), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Gastroenterology Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Nurse Practitioner.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Nurse Practitioner earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Nurse Practitioner.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$73K per year	$96K per year	$114K per year	$128K per year	$139K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $49K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Nurse Practitioner do?

Work environment

Nurse Practitioners work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, private practices, clinics, schools, and nursing homes. They may also work in research, academic settings, or in healthcare administration.

Quick task list

Conducts physical exams and patient assessments.
Diagnoses and treats acute and chronic conditions.
Prescribes medications and other treatments.
Educates and counsels patients and their families on healthcare issues.
Performs certain procedures and follow-up care.
Collaborates with physicians and other healthcare professionals.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): Provides comprehensive care across the lifespan.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP): Specializes in child health care from birth through young adulthood.
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner: Focuses on the care of adults and the elderly.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner: Specializes in mental health care.
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner: Focuses on gynecological, prenatal, and postnatal care.

Description

Nurse Practitioners play a critical role in the healthcare system, often serving as a patient's primary healthcare provider. They combine clinical expertise in diagnosing and treating health conditions with an emphasis on disease prevention and health management. NPs bring a comprehensive perspective to health care, looking at the whole patient, including their environment, lifestyle, and mental health, and not just their physical symptoms.

The role requires excellent communication skills, as NPs are often the primary point of contact for patient education and counseling. They must be able to explain complex medical information in understandable terms and provide empathetic support. NPs often serve specific populations, which requires specialized knowledge and cultural competence.

This career offers autonomy, with many NPs having the authority to prescribe medications and manage patient care independently. It also requires a commitment to lifelong learning, as the medical field is constantly evolving. NPs must stay current with healthcare research and best practices to provide the highest quality care.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Directly impacting patient health and well-being.
High degree of autonomy in clinical decision-making.
Opportunity for specialization in areas of interest.
Building long-term relationships with patients.

You might make a good Nurse Practitioner if you are...

Passionate about providing comprehensive healthcare.
A strong communicator, capable of educating and empathizing with patients.
Detail-oriented, with a strong foundation in clinical skills.
Interested in a career with opportunities for autonomy and leadership.
Committed to lifelong learning in the evolving field of healthcare.

Pros:

High level of independence in practice.
Strong demand and job growth in the healthcare sector.
Diverse opportunities in various healthcare settings.

Cons:

High responsibility and potentially stressful decision-making.
Requires continuous education and keeping up with medical advancements.
Can involve long hours, especially in primary care settings.

How to become a Nurse Practitioner

Typical education

To become a Nurse Practitioner, one must first obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which takes about 4 years, followed by a Master's degree in Nursing (2-3 years). Some NPs pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or a Ph.D., which can take an additional 3-4 years.

High school preparation

Courses:

Sciences, particularly biology and chemistry, to build a strong foundational knowledge.
Mathematics for skills in statistics and pharmacology calculations.
Psychology to understand patient behavior and mental health.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering in healthcare settings.
Participation in health science clubs or programs.
First aid and CPR certification.

Preparation after high school

Obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Gain experience as a Registered Nurse (RN) and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Pursue a Master's degree in Nursing, specializing in a particular area of interest.
Obtain national certification in a nurse practitioner specialty area and state licensure.
Consider further education such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) for advanced practice and leadership roles.

More resources

American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) - A national organization representing nurse practitioners, offering resources, continuing education, and advocacy.
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) - Provides leadership in promoting quality nurse practitioner education.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) - Offers certification programs for nurse practitioners.
Nurse Practitioner Schools - A resource for information on NP programs, specializations, and careers.
Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners - A professional journal featuring the latest research and developments in nurse practitioner practice.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.