Want to become a nurse practitioner? Here's what you need to know about nurse practitioner school, NP salary, job duties, work settings, locum tenens NP jobs and more.

<p>
 Want to work in the #1 healthcare job, the #2 STEM job, 
 and the #2 best overall job in the nation (<a href="https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/nurse-practitioner" target="_blank">USNWR</a>)? 
 Become a nurse practitioner! 
</p>
</br>
<p> As a <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/nurse-practitioner" target="_blank">nurse practitioner</a> 
or NP, you can enjoy an outstanding career improving the lives of others and safeguarding 
the health of our nation. There are excellent job opportunities for nurse practitioners 
in exciting locations nationwide that offer great pay and flexible work hours! Read on 
to see whether it's the right career for you.</p>

<h2 style="margin:10px 0px">Nurse Practitioner School, NP Salary, Nurse Practitioner Jobs and More</h2>
<p> In this how-to guide on becoming a nurse practitioner, we'll cover:</p>
<ul>
  <li> Nurse practitioner duties </li>
  <li> 	Demand for nurse practitioners </li>
  <li> 	NP salary and pay </li>
  <li> 	Nurse practitioner school </li>
  <li> 	Steps to becoming a nurse practitioner </li>
  <li> 	NP jobs and work settings </li>
  <li> Locum tenens nurse practitioner and more </li>
</ul>

<h2 style="margin:10px 0px">About Nurse Practitioners</h2>
<h3 style="margin:10px 0px">What are a nurse practitioner's duties?</h3>
<p> Nurse practitioners are licensed nurses with additional degrees and 
  training who provide healthcare for patients. They are considered advanced practice 
  registered nurses, also called advanced practice providers or advanced practitioners. 
  Nurse practitioners work independently or under the supervision of a physician, 
  depending on the scope of practice outlined by the state where they work (<a href="https://www.aanp.org/advocacy/state/state-practice-environment" target="_blank">AANP</a>). 
  NPs can examine, diagnose and treat patients. They can also order and interpret 
  lab results and imaging, assist with surgeries, perform minor procedures, 
  prescribe and administer medicines and educate patients and families. 
</p>

<h2 style="margin:10px 0px">Demand for Nurse Pracitioners</h2>
<h3 style="margin:10px 0px">Are nurse practitioners in demand?</h3>

<p> Yes! Nurse practitioners are in demand, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 
  expects the profession to grow by 45% over the next decade (<a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm" target="_blank">BLS</a>). The BLS also 
  expects 118,600 new nurse practitioner jobs to be added over the 10 years.

</p>

<h2 style="margin:10px 0px">Nurse Practitioner Salary</h2>
<h3 style="margin:10px 0px">What is the average salary for a nurse practitioner?</h3>

<p> In the U.S., the median salary for a nurse practitioner was $121,610 in 2022, 
  according to the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm" target="_blank">U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>. 
  However, <a href="https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/What-Is-the-Average-Nurse-Practitioner-Salary-by-State" target="_blank">Zip Recruiter</a> 
  lists the national average as higher, $131,543, with the highest-paid NPs in Nevada 
  (averaging $155,981) and the lowest in Florida (averaging $99,390).
</p>

<h2 style="margin:10px 0px">Nurse Practitioner School</h2>
<h3 style="margin:10px 0px">What schooling do nurse practitioners need?</h3>
<p>To become a nurse practitioner, you must earn a master's degree from an NP program, 
  preferably accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (<a href="https://www.acenursing.org/acen-home/" target="_blank">ACEN</a>) 
  or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (<a href="https://www.aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation" target="_blank">CCNE</a>). If you do not choose an 
  accredited program, you may have trouble qualifying for nursing certification exams 
  and securing employment within certain states. Further, you increase your earning 
  power and marketability when looking for an NP job if you've completed an 
  accredited program.

</p>
<h3 style="margin:10px 0px">How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner?</h3>
<p> It takes 6-8 years to become a nurse practitioner since you'll 
  need to earn a bachelor's degree (3-5 years), followed by a master's- or 
  doctorate-level NP program (2-3 years).</p>

<h3 style="margin:10px 0px">What are the steps to becoming a nurse practitioner?</h3>
<p> There are various routes you can take to become a nurse practitioner. 
  One of the most common paths is to (<a href="https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/explore-the-variety-of-career-paths-for-nurse-practitioners" target="_blank">AANP</a>):
</p>

<ol style="margin: 25px;">
  <li> Complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or related degree  </li>
  <li> Pass the NCLEX exam  </li>
  <li> Apply for your license to practice as a registered nurse (RN) in your state  </li>
  <li> 	Complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree  </li>
  <li> 	Pass the national NP certification board exam of your choice (<a href="https://www.aanpcert.org/certifications" target="_blank">AANP</a> and <a href="https://www.nursingworld.org/our-certifications/" target="_blank">ANNC</a>)  
  </li>
  <li> Apply for your license to practice as a nurse practitioner (NP) in your state  </li>
  <li> Keep up with ongoing education, certification and licensing requirements throughout your career </li>
</ol>


<h2 style="margin:10px 0px">Nurse Practitioner Jobs</h2>
<h3 style="margin:10px 0px">What types of healthcare facilities employ nurse practitioners?</h3>

<p> There are jobs for nurse practitioners in nearly all healthcare settings, including:</p>
<ul>
  <li> Academic institutions </li>
  <li> Ambulatory surgery centers </li>
  <li> Clinics </li>
  <li> Dialysis centers </li>
  <li> Government health </li>
  <li> Home health </li>
  <li> Hospitals </li>
  <li> Nursing facilities </li>
  <li> Outpatient care centers </li>
  <li> Palliative care  </li>
  <li> Physician's offices </li>
  <li> Private practices </li>
  <li> Rural health centers </li>
  <li> Telehealth </li>
</ul>

<h2 style="margin:10px 0px">Locum Tenens Nurse Pracitioners</h2>
<h3 style="margin:10px 0px">What is a locum tenens nurse practitioner?</h3>

<p> Locum tenens nurse practitioners are NPs who fill in for other providers on 
  vacation or sick leave or when permanent positions are vacant. Some NPs choose to 
  take locum tenens assignments on the side, while others make a full-time career 
  of it.
</p>


<h3 style="margin:10px 0px">What are the benefits of being a locum tenens nurse practitioner?</h3>
<p>Nurse practitioners who take locum tenens assignments enjoy the freedom, flexibility, compensation and quality of life the arrangement offers! If you decide to practice as a locum nurse practitioner, you can:</p>

<ul>
  <li> Choose from short- or long-term assignments </li>
  <li> Select from full-time or part-time opportunities </li>
  <li> Find jobs near home or in exciting locations across the nation </li>
  <li> Learn from other providers and healthcare facilities and expand your network </li>
  <li> Bring along family members or even a pet </li>
  <li> Enjoy perks like paid travel, housing and more </li>
  <li> Try out a practice and location before deciding to make a permanent commitment </li>
  <li> Avoid practice politics </li>
  <li> Have various opportunities to care for various patient populations </li>
  <li> Discover new areas of interest </li>
  <li> Have a team of locum tenens staffing experts on your side, advocating for you! </li>

</ul>

<h2 style="margin:10px 0px">Nurse Practitioner Resources</h2>
<p> Here are helpful resources to aid your research on pursuing a career as a nurse practitioner:</p>
<ul>
    <li><a href="https://www.aanp.org/" target="_blank">American Association of Nurse Practitioners</a></li>
    <li><a href="https://aanpset.inreachce.com/" target="_blank"> AANP Student Education and Training Platform </a></li>
    <li><a href="https://www.gapna.org/" target="_blank"> Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association</a> </li>
    <li><a href="https://www.napnap.org/" target="_blank"> National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners</a> </li>
  </ul>

  <h2 style="margin:10px 0px">Nurse Practitioner Jobs</h2>
  <p> To discover where locum tenens nurse practitioners are needed in 
    exciting locations nationwide, search our 
    <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/locums" target="_blank">nurse practitioner jobs</a> 
    now! 

  </p>

How to Become a Nurse Practitioner