Why Pursuing a Career as a Nurse Practitioner is a Wise Move

The COVID-19 pandemic put into perspective just how important the people working in the healthcare industry are to this nation. If you have a desire to help sick individuals and want to pursue a new career opportunity, then becoming a nurse practitioner is a great idea. A nurse practitioner is trained to assess their patient’s needs and prescribe the treatments needed to help them get better.

Currently, there are approximately 325,000 nurse practitioners working in the United States. Are you on the fence about whether or not to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner? If so, check out the information below about why becoming a nurse practitioner is a wise career move.

Nurse Practitioners Are In-Demand

A recent study performed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the need for nurse practitioners will grow by over 36% by 2026. This increased demand will lead to lots of great job opportunities for nurse practitioners. Since the average American is living much longer, there are more people needing treatments for chronic diseases.

In fact, nearly 60% of adults in America have a chronic disease. There is also an obesity epidemic in the United States that has led to a rise in serious health conditions like diabetes and hypertension. All of these factors contribute to the enhanced need for knowledgeable nurse practitioners in the coming years.

Work In a Variety of Medical Settings

One of the biggest misconceptions most people have about nurse practitioners is that they work solely in doctor’s offices. While an overwhelming number of nurse practitioners do work in this setting, there are also a number of other venues where the talents of these medical professionals are used. Some places that you can work as a nurse practitioner are:

• Private medical practices
• Health departments
• Palliative care establishments
• Schools
• Nursing homes
• Urgent care facilities

As a nurse practitioner, you will be able to choose the work environment that best suits your needs and sensibilities. Having this flexibility will make working as a nurse practitioner more enjoyable.

Very Competitive Salary

One of the first things most people want to know before diving into a new career is what to expect in the way of salary. Jobs in the medical industry tend to pay well. The national median salary for nurse practitioners in the United States is around $107,000 a year. Not only do nurse practitioners make a competitive wage, they also get great benefits packages. The organizations that hire nurse practitioners will usually provide them with health insurance, retirement planning and paid vacation time.

The main thing you need to do to get your career as a nurse practitioner going is to pass the AANPCB exam. The best way to accomplish this goal is by taking advantage of tools provided by FNP Mastery. We provide practice tests designed to help you get prepared for the actual AANPCB exam. Our practice tests feature over 1,600 questions designed to help educate and build confidence.