Job Duties
A Nursing Practitioner who is licensed and has the correct credentials will provide diagnosis, treatment, consultation,
and follow up care of patients under the direct supervision of a physician. The nursing practitioner provides medical
care at the level of training attained.
Nurse Practitioners will effectively identify, evaluate, and addresses the prevention of diseases, while administering
quality care for their patients. They will communicate with members of the medical staff on issues concerning
consultation, collaboration, and referrals. They are responsible for the diagnosis, and the treatment of critical,
prolonged, and long-term healthcare issues. They will also participate in educating patients and families on their
preventive care, medical issues, and use of prescribed medications and treatment. They will also maintain accurate
and legible medical records, while documenting all medical evaluations, diagnosis, procedures, treatment, prognosis,
referrals, education, and consultations that are consistent with state regulatory standards.
They will facilitate in the evaluation of patient records by communicating with their physicians on protocols, and will
receive and implement constructive directives. They will analyze new data gained from conferences, training
workshops, professional literature, and on the job training, where they will assimilate it into their every day clinical
practice. Nurse Practitioners can handle many different tasks that most nurses at lower level credentials are not
qualified for. Their range of responsibilities are much broader, which include taking care of patients who have issues
with arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease. They can order testing in diagnostics, order medication, and perform some
surgical procedures.
Training and Educational Requirements
People who choose to be a nurse practitioner will need a bachelor of science degree in nursing, and then a masters
degree. They must also be nationally registered as a nurse, and board certified as a nurse practitioner, so that they
will be specialized to work in many areas of medical care.
Certifications
Nurse Practitioners must pass a National Board of Certification in the area of their specialty from the American
Nurses Credentialing Center and from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Each state will also have their
own licensing and certification program.
Salary and Wages
The starting salary and wages for a Nurse Practitioner start at $73,000 a year and goes up to $84,000 a year. The
lowest pay range for a nurse practitioner is $45,000 a year. Some nurse practitioners can make up to $120,000
depending in which state they work in. Family and general practitioners can make up to $120,000. Health diagnosis
and treating nurse practitioners can make up to $78,000 a year, healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
can make up to $51,000 a year, and healthcare practitioners in many other areas can make up to $45,000 a year.*
*According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Professional Associations:
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National Council License Examination for Registered Nurses
American Nurses Credentialing Center
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
National Certification Corporation
American Psychiatric Nursing Association
Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing
Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing Specialties
Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation
For further details, contact Betty Ledet at 214-382-3813.