Nurse practitioners diagnose and treat numerous ailments. They can choose their field of expertise and may become pediatricians, psychiatrists, and more. Others may enroll in a family nurse practitioner program and work in hospitals, private practices, and clinics. If you are a registered nurse (RN) wishing to become a nurse practitioner, here are a few degree paths:
Family Nurse Practitioner
Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) offer primary care services to patients of all ages. They assess and manage minor illnesses, order and interpret medical investigations, and prescribe relevant drugs. FNPs emphasize health promotion, disease prevention, and early identification and management of chronic diseases in different clients. They primarily practice in clinics, private practices, and community health centers.
FNPs work in conjunction with physicians and other healthcare providers to address patient needs and achieve the best results. Their training entails health assessment, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and clinical judgment skills. To become an FNP, you must enroll in a family nurse practitioner program and complete a master’s or a doctoral degree program. FNPs’ training focuses on patient education, provision of holistic care, and fostering close relationships with families.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners
Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are nurses who possess an advanced degree in nursing and major in mental health. They evaluate, classify, and provide therapy for persons with mental health problems or substance dependence. PMHNPs can diagnose and treat mental illness by prescribing medication and being involved in the patient’s treatment plan. They can be employed in many facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, private practices, and community health centers.
PMHNPs must possess a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing with an emphasis on psychiatric-mental health. During their education, they study psychopharmacology, neurobiology, and various therapeutic methods. They also need to accumulate clinical hours and sit for the national certification examination. PMHNPs can attend to patients of different ages, be they young children, adolescents, adults, middle-aged, or elderly. Their tasks involve completing psychiatric evaluations, managing medication, offering crisis intervention, and providing patients with education.
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners
Women’s health nurse practitioners (WHNPs) are nurse practitioners who have a professional interest in the care of female clients. They specialize in women’s health issues, providing services such as birth control, fertility control, and fertility treatments. WHNPs prescribe birth control pills, conduct periodic check-ups of the female reproductive system, and perform mammography. They are taught to identify and manage a wide range of gynecological conditions, such as sexually transmitted diseases and urinary incontinence.
WHNPs also educate their patients on issues such as sexuality, diet, and wellness. They practice in private obstetrics-gynecology doctors’ offices, family planning clinics, and communal health centers. WHNPs often work closely with obstetricians or gynecologists to address high-risk pregnancies and a myriad of gynecologic complaints.
Nurse Midwives
A nurse-midwifery program is a course of study that helps registered nurses to achieve certification in nurse-midwifery. Maternal care, reproductive health of women, and newborn care are its major areas of emphasis. Students acquire knowledge about antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum periods. The program also includes gynecological examinations and family planning interventions. It comprises theoretical work done in class as well as practical sessions in clinical areas. Nurse midwives are employed in hospitals and clinics or have their own practicing clinics.
Doctor of Nursing Practitioners
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is the highest degree in nursing with a specialization in clinical nursing practice. It trains registered nurses for leadership positions in various healthcare organizations. It is oriented toward the clinical practice instead of the academic research. For RNs, DNP education provides knowledge in patient care and healthcare management. This degree path focuses on providing more specialized knowledge in diagnosing and managing complicated diseases. DNP graduates also understand how to advocate for modifications to healthcare policy and systems.
The program often expects candidates to possess a master’s degree in nursing. Nurses also meet their class hours and clinical hour requirements while in school. Students must satisfy both the academic degree and clinical competencies while in their courses. DNP programs may have concentrations in such fields as family practice, pediatrics, or mental health. Then, they practice in senior positions as nurse practitioners or healthcare administrators.
Enroll in a Family Nurse Practitioner Program
The advantages of being an FNP include practice independence and the option to treat patients of all ages. The program helps nurses by giving them diagnostic and clinical knowledge in managing primary healthcare diseases. Contact an institution that offers a family nurse practitioner program today.