A strong desire to help people heal should be the driving force to becoming a nurse. However, how much you can earn as a nurse can also be a deciding factor.
To find the best answer to “How much does a nurse practitioner make in a year?”, you must first consider your expertise level. Are you an LPN, CNA, or a registered Nurse?
Various factors determine the answer, including your desired level of responsibility on the job and your specific interests. Of course, salary is an important consideration. You should wonder how much money you need to earn to live your desired lifestyle.
Nurse practitioners are medical professionals who provide emergency, primary, and acute care to patients. They have more education and experience than other types of nurses. Understanding how to become a nurse practitioner and how much nurse practitioners make in a year.
This article discusses what a nurse practitioner does, the different types of nurse practitioners, the average salary, how to become one, and how much nurse practitioners make in a year.
Table of contents
- What Does A Nurse Practitioner Do?
- Is NP the Highest Level of Nursing?
- How To Become A Nurse Practitioner? Step-by-Step Guide
- What are the Necessary Skills for Nurse Practitioners?
- How Much Does a Nurse Practitioner Make in a Year?
- What Is the Highest-Paid Nurse Practitioner Specialty?
- Nurse Practitioner Specialties and Salaries
- How Much Does a Nurse Practitioner Make FAQs
- Conclusion
- References
What Does A Nurse Practitioner Do?
A nurse practitioner provides patients with both primary and specialized care. Their nursing experience qualifies them as excellent caregivers, while their advanced education qualifies them to handle tasks normally performed by physicians.
The most common tasks of a nurse practitioner are:
- Providing primary and emergency care
- Diagnosis of medical conditions
- Medication administration and prescription
- Check-ups are carried out.
- Requesting lab tests
- Referring patients to specialists
- Conducting research and Maintaining a record of the patient’s medical history.
Is NP the Highest Level of Nursing?
No, NP (Nurse Practitioner) is not the highest level of nursing. Several advanced practice nursing roles require additional education and certification beyond the NP level.
The highest level of nursing is the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), a terminal degree in nursing. DNP programs prepare nurses for healthcare practice, research, and education leadership roles. The DNP curriculum includes courses in healthcare policy, leadership, advanced clinical practice, and a significant research component.
Other advanced practice nursing roles that require additional education and certification beyond the NP level include Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM), and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). These roles require specialized training and certification to provide expert care in their respective practice areas.
It’s worth noting that nursing is a continuously evolving field, and new roles and specializations are emerging. As such, nurses have many opportunities to advance their careers and pursue higher education and specialization to enhance their knowledge and skills and better serve their patients.
How To Become A Nurse Practitioner? Step-by-Step Guide
To become a nurse practitioner, the steps you need to take care-
Step 1- Obtain your bachelor’s degree
The first step toward becoming a nurse practitioner is to earn a bachelor’s degree, which takes three years to complete. The undergraduate degree must be in nursing or a closely related field. Most nursing degrees cover anatomy, biology, psychology, and chemistry.
Step 2- Become a registered nurse
After completing a bachelor’s degree in an accredited nursing school and program, you can register with the Nursing and Midwives Council. Register online with NMC, which is the simplest and quickest way.
Step 3 -Acquire experience
After becoming a registered nurse, you can gain clinical experience by working in a clinic or a related field. By working in that position, you can gain the knowledge and skills needed to become an accredited nurse practitioner. You will also have the opportunity to learn and ask questions while working under the supervision of an experienced nurse.
Step 4- Enroll in a master’s program
Following a bachelor’s degree, nurse practitioners must pursue a master’s degree in nursing. A master’s program typically lasts one to two years. This program is critical for developing your skills and knowledge.
Step 5- Obtain the necessary licenses and certifications.
To obtain a license, you must have a Master of Science in Nursing degree, two years post-registration clinical experience, and pass a national certification exam. You may also be required to obtain an International English certificate demonstrating your ability to communicate in English at an appropriate level.
Step 6- Create your curriculum vitae
Check out job postings for nurse practitioners to help you create an effective CV. This way, you’ll know the skills and qualifications required in your industry. You can create a CV highlighting your skills, qualifications, and accomplishments.
Step 7- Look for work.
You can start looking for work once you have the necessary licenses and certifications. You can begin by looking for nurse practitioner positions online and through referrals. Once you’ve found a possible job, send your cover letter and CV and wait for a phone call.
Related Article: 20 Important Questions to Ask in a Nursing Interview
What are the Necessary Skills for Nurse Practitioners?
Some of the skills required for nurse practitioners include:
- Communication abilities: Nurse practitioners must relay and receive vital patient information. Listening to their patients is critical because it is one of the most effective ways for them to learn about their patients’ ailments. As a result, active listening skills are just as important as communication skills.
- Nurse practitioners must pay close attention to detail when administering medications and diagnosing their patients’ ailments. They pay close attention to detail to avoid providing the incorrect diagnosis or medication. They must also consider how different drugs react from one patient to the next.
- Endurance: Most health practitioners must work long hours and cannot take breaks. You may occasionally deal with difficult patients who refuse medication or follow prescriptions. As a nurse practitioner, you should work with such patients with patience and endurance until they understand the importance of treatment.
- Teamwork abilities: Nurse practitioners must communicate with various medical professionals, including paramedics, doctors, and healthcare assistants. They can also refer patients to other health practitioners if they require additional treatment. They must learn to work as a team to benefit their patients.
- Empathy: Nurse practitioners must be compassionate toward their patients. You can be more understanding if you carefully assess a patient’s history and circumstances. It may also provide you with some insight into the best treatment method to use.
Related Article: Top 20 Skills Every Nurse Must Have in 2023
How Much Does a Nurse Practitioner Make in a Year?
A few factors will determine a nurse practitioner’s salary in a year. They are-
Type of Employer
Nurse practitioners (Nurse practitioners) can work in various settings, including hospitals, private practices, government agencies, and others.
Private practices typically provide the most room for salary negotiation, whereas hospitals and government agencies may have budgeted salary schedules that are less flexible.
Your type of employer and where you work would also determine how much you can make in a year.
Location
Since the cost of living must be considered, the city and state can significantly affect NP salaries.
Larger cities and more populous states tend to pay higher wages, whereas rural areas may pay less than the national average. A nurse practitioner currently earns an annual salary of $115,800.
According to the most recent available BLS data from May 2019, the average annual salary of an NP in New York is $122,550, while Alabama Nurse practitioners earn $99,570.
Related Article: How Much Does a Nurse Aide Make? | 2023
Experience and Degree Level
Nurse practitioners with a high level of experience and relevant certifications typically earn more than those just starting, and degree level may also have an impact.
While a graduate-level degree is standard for Nurse practitioners, those with a doctorate (DNP) may have access to the most prestigious and highest-paying NP roles.
Many prospective nurse practitioners want to know how much they will earn per hour based on the abovementioned factors.
As of May 2019, the national mean hourly wage for nurse practitioners was $53.77, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (latest available data). The hourly median wage for most Nurse practitioners ranges between $39.14 and $73.16.
Related Article: 20 Highest Paying Nursing Jobs in 2023
What Is the Highest-Paid Nurse Practitioner Specialty?
This can vary depending on all of the factors mentioned above. Many organizations have unionized Nurse practitioners, so the pay is negotiated regularly.
Other organizations compensate based on experience and practice. Private offices typically pay less than hospital systems and large organizations.
Because certain specialties have a higher demand for Nurse practitioners, higher pay may be offered.
With baby boomers and the elderly population dominating healthcare in the United States, Adult-Gerontology, Family, and Women’s Health Nurse practitioners have more job opportunities and may offer higher pay.
Nurse Practitioner Specialties and Salaries
Nurse practitioners can pursue a wide range of specialties depending on their skills and interests. Nurse practitioners can choose a concentration as part of their MSN or DNP degree in the majority of MSN and DNP programs.
Some common NP specialties and their corresponding salary information are-
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Earnings
These nurses typically work in hospitals and other urgent care settings, performing patient rounds and assisting with procedures.
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner salaries range from $86,000 to $125,000 per year, but the median national salary, according to PayScale, is $101,342.
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Earnings
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners care for patients in their adolescence and beyond. They may perform physicals and exams and educate patients and families on good health practices.
This type of NP may work in either acute or primary care settings. Salary ranges for Adult-Gerontology Nurse practitioners range from $73,000 to $110,000 per year. The national median annual salary is $90,102.
Emergency Nurse Practitioner Earnings
These nurses work in hospitals and urgent care settings, ordering diagnostic tests and providing care to patients who cannot wait to see their regular doctor.
Emergency nurse practitioner salaries range from $77,000 to $126,000 annually, with an average salary of $96,841.
Family Nurse Practitioner Earnings
The Family Nurse Practitioner, or FNP, provides care to patients from infancy to old age. They perform many of the same tasks as doctors, such as routine physicals and exams.
And they emphasize preventive health measures. FNP salaries range from $79,000 to $117,000, with the average salary being $94,232.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Earnings
A Pediatric NP treats and cares for children in a hospital or medical facility’s pediatrics wing, assisting physicians, ordering tests, prescribing medication or therapy, and counseling families.
Pediatric nurse practitioner salaries range from $73,000 to $112,000 annually, with an average annual salary of $89,764.
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Earnings
A Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner cares for female patients suffering from various women’s health or reproductive issues.
They may screen for breast or reproductive cancers, educate and care for pregnant women, and perform other duties. Salary ranges for Women’s Health NPs range from $72,000 to $113,000 per year. The annual salary for this position is $91,270 on average.
How Much Does a Nurse Practitioner Make FAQs
According to the data, the highest annual average salary for nurse practitioners is $138,660 in California, $126,920 in Washington, Hawaii pays $124,000, $123,810 in New Jersey, Minnesota is worth $122,850, $122,550 in New York, $122,240 in Massachusetts and Wyoming is worth $118,110.
The five states with the lowest NP salaries are Kentucky pays $95,450; Arkansas pays $95,230, $95,000 West Virginia; Alabama pays $94,880; Tennessee pays $93,970.
Anesthetist (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) ($181,040). The highest-paying job for a nurse practitioner appears to be that of a nurse anesthetist. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, their median hourly wage is $87 as of May 2019, making it the highest-paid position for a nurse with an MSN.
The average nurse practitioner’s salary in Canada is $104,292 per year or $53.48 per hour. Starting salaries for entry-level positions start at $91,667 per year, with most experienced workers earning up to $116,999 annually.
A nurse practitioner program lasts four to six years. You must first obtain a bachelor’s degree, which takes approximately three years. Then, for one to two years, pursue a master’s degree in nursing.
The philosophical focus of nurse practitioners and doctors differs significantly. Doctors are scientists who study diseases and cures. On the other hand, nurse practitioners receive training on how to be healers and caregivers.
No. Nurse practitioners do not perform complex surgeries. However, they can assist surgeons during surgery. They can also help the patient prepare for surgery and provide support and reassurance to family members.
Conclusion
Due to the increased freedom, flexibility, and autonomy, they experience on the job, becoming a nurse practitioner is a common career goal for aspiring nurses. It doesn’t hurt that nurse practitioners typically earn relatively high salaries and have excellent job stability due to the high demand for those with their experience.
References
- regiscollege.edu– Nurse practitioner salary
- indeed.com– Nurse practitioner salaries
- allnursingschools.com– Nurse practitioner salary
- salary.com- How much does a nurse practitioner make in a year
- herzing.edu– Salary family nurse practitioner
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