The US is currently battling a shortage of qualified healthcare professionals at all levels of the healthcare industry; for example, the Association of American Medical Colleges projects a shortage of primary care physicians of between 21,400 and 55,200 by 2033. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) alsoProjects45% employment ratefor anesthesiologists, midwives, and non-medical professionals between 2019 and 2029. In addition, aExpected shortage of doctorsbetween 46,000 and 121,900 expected for 2032.
Due to these bottlenecks and the potentially critical consequences caused by understaffing, the role of qualified nursing staff is more important than ever. Nurse practitioners can mentor and mentor other nurses to help them provide the best care. They may also see patients in lieu of a general practitioner in states that allow it.full practice and full prescriptive authority. You can even work with patients to help them create proactive care strategies that can limit their need for visits, which can also help reduce their health care costs.
Nurses can choose from several nursing specializations that can provide detailed care for specific patient demographics. Nursing specialties available are:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
- Akutkrankenschwester (ACNP)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
- Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Adult Gerontology Nurse (AGNP)
What is a family nurse?
Family Nurse Practitioner(FNP) is a broad professional category designed for advanced-level nurse practitioners interested in providing family-centered care to a wide range of patient demographics. These doctors can treat people at different stages of life, from childhood to adolescence and adulthood to old age. Some of the basic tasks that an FNP can perform include the following:
- Performing physical exams
- Request diagnostic tests
- develop treatment strategies
- patient record keeping
- Treatment of chronic and acute diseases and ailments.
In some states, FNPs can independently prescribe drugs. In states that do not allow nurse practitioners full prescribing authority, FNPs must work with a physician to prescribe medication.
Due to the inherent versatility of the FNP role, position holders may work in a variety of clinical settings. These include the following:
- Independent through own private practice
- primary care
- Clinical Installation
- hospital
- Community Health Center
- Health Department
- long term care facility
It should be noted that state laws may affect some of these settings. FNPs may not be able to operate independently in states that do not offer full practice or full regulatory authority.
Typically, a minimum of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is required to fill a role as a FNP.certificationand licenses to practice as a FNP are also required in all states, additional requirements may vary from state to state. An effective FNP possesses strong critical thinking, communication, analytical, and decision-making skills, as well as strong interpersonal skills to interact effectively with a wide range of patients.
According to PayScale, theaverage annual salary of an FNPin August 2020 it was around $94,800. Factors such as education level, years of experience, certification, and location can affect salary.
What is a neonatal nurse?
Newborn Nurse Practitioner(NNP) specialize in caring for babies battling various health conditions. Your duties may include:
- Low birth weight newborn care
- Caring for babies with heart defects
- Care of infants with complications from preterm birth
- Care of infants with infections.
- Development of care strategies for infants up to 24 months of age
- Provide education and support to parents of babies who need treatment.
Due to the type of care they provide, NNPs typically work in critical care areas of a hospital, including the following:
- emergency rooms
- Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU)
You can also manage care withinfour fixed levelsa neonatal intensive care unit, divided according to the needs of a baby. For example, some NNPs specialize in providing stability for seriously ill babies who need assistance with breathing or feeding. Others specialize in the care of very premature babies in the 22-24 week range.
An MSN and certification asNNP-BCNeonatal Nurse Practitioner - Board Certified Certification (NNP-BC)they are required to become NNP. All NNPs must be licensed in their state of practice. In addition to having strong analytical, observational, communication, and critical thinking skills, PNNs must have a thorough understanding of childhood health conditions and problems. NNPs must also become familiar with technological advances related to newborn care.
PayScale lists the annual mean salary ofPNN as of August 2020that about $102,100. In addition to factors such as education level, years of experience, and workplace, the established level of neonatal care an NNP works in can also affect salary.
What is an intensive care doctor?
Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (ACNPs) specialize in treating patients affected by sudden critical illness or injury. Your duties include:
- Treatment of direct problems such as heart attack or respiratory diseases
- Treating the effects of secondary trauma, such as B. a car accident
- Provideemergency servicesfor patients facing acute conditions such as B. when performing defibrillation or intubation procedures
- Development of long-term treatment plans for chronic conditions caused by an acute episode
ACNPs are often grouped withAcute care nurse in adult gerontology(AGACNP) who specialize in the acute care of young adults by geriatric patients. In some cases, AGACNPs may also be trained to provide acute care at the pediatric level.
The nature of the ACNP and AGACNP specializations allows them to work in a variety of clinical settings. These environments include the following:
- emergency clinics
- emergency rooms
- intensive care units
- outpatient facilities
- long term care facilities
In addition to the minimum requirement of an MSN, ACNPs must be licensed in their state of practice. Certification requirements are met upon receiptAdult Gerontology Certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNPC-AG) Zertifizierung, as the specific ACNP certification is generally no longer offered to new nursing professionals. However, those withAn existing ACNP certification can still be renewed. It is important for ACNPs to have advanced communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and decision-making skills, and equally important to have a thorough understanding of key acute care procedures and systems, as well as strong qualities such as flexibility and perseverance.
According to PayScale, theACNP average annual salaryas of August 2020, it is approximately $102,400. Factors such as education level, years of experience, and workplace can affect salary.
What is a pediatric nurse?
A pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) specializes in the care of children throughout their childhood development, from birth to adulthood. They have in-depth knowledge of various topics, chronic diseases andDiseases that occur mainly in children. Your main functions may include:
- Treating problems primarily associated with children, such as B. Ear pain caused by an ear infection
- Treatment of childhood diseases such as croup or Kawasaki disease
- Development of treatment plans for children.
- Discuss treatment needs and strategies with families of patients.
PNPs may also work with other pediatric health professionals to develop treatment plans. This may include working with physicians to administer specific treatments or prescriptions in states that do not allow full practice or full prescribing authority. PNPs may also be consulted to discuss treatment needs and strategies with families of patients.
A PNP can operate in a variety of settings, including the following:
- Private Practice Organizations
- Large healthcare facilities such as hospitals.
- children's hospitals
- Social Service Agencies
- State or public health authorities
An MSN and certification asCertified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care (CPNP-PC) Zertifizierungare required to practice as PNP. A state license is also required, with requirements that vary from state to state. PNPs need advanced communication, interpersonal, and detail-oriented skills, and must be resourceful and compassionate to properly care for their young patients.
According to PayScale, themedian annual salary of PNPsas of August 2020, it is around $90,100. Factors such as education level, years of experience, and workplace can affect salary.
What is a women's health nurse?
Women's Health Nurse Practitioners (WHNPs) use their knowledge and skills to meet the health needs of women throughout their lives. Your duties may include:
- contraceptive supply
- Carrying out fertility tests.
- Provision of prenatal care, including prenatal and postnatal care
- provision of menopause care
- Carrying out breast cancer screening tests.
- Getting Pap Smears
- Provision of gynecological care, including contraception, fertility testing and menopausal care
- Provision of prenatal care, including prenatal and postnatal care
WHNPs can also incorporate a unique societal perspective into their levels of care and care delivery strategies.Factors Involving Cultural Competence, such as race, social class, and religious beliefs, can influence a WHNP's approach to providing care or developing a care strategy.
WHNPs can be used in general healthcare settings, such as B. hospitals, to provide care. You can also work in several unique settings that help focus on women's health, including:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic
- antenatal clinics
- Family planning centers like Planned Parenthood
- women's clinics
- women's prisons
An MSN, certification and state specific approval are availablerequired to practice as a WHNP. In addition to having advanced knowledge of women's health issues, WHNPs must also possess advanced communication and decision-making skills, as well as qualities such as compassion and advanced cultural awareness.
PayScalelists dieMedian Annual Salary for WHNPas of August 2020 at around $91,600. Factors such as education level, years of experience, and workplace can affect salary.
What is a psychiatric mental health nurse?
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) arbeiten anDevelop mental health treatment strategies for patients of all ages.. Your duties may include:
- Assessment of a patient's mental health
- Diagnose a patient's specific mental health needs
- Development of the patient's treatment needs, which can often include psychotherapy.
- Prescribe medications
It should be noted that PMHNPs can only prescribe drugs to patients in states that grant full prescribing authority. In states where full exercise or power to prescribe is prohibited, PHNNPs must work with a physician or psychiatrist to perform some of their duties.
PMHNPs work in a variety of work settings, including the following:
- hospitals
- Private Practice Firms
- State psychiatric institutions
- S. Department of Veterans Affairs Psychiatric Centers
- Correctional institutions
- Domestic Violence Shelters
To become a PMHNP, individuals must earn at least an MSN and a certification, such asPsychiatric Mental Health Nurse Certification (Lifetime) (PMHNP-BC). They must also be licensed in their state to practice. It is imperative that PMHNPs have advanced analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills to be effective. They must also have a strong sense of empathy and compassion, as well as a thorough understanding of therapeutic techniques and strategies.
According to PayScale, thePMHNP Median Annual Salaryas of August 2020 it is approximately $107,300. Factors such as education level, years of experience, and workplace can affect salary.
An important part of the future of healthcare
Regardless of the specialty that aspiring nurses ultimately choose, their entry into the specialty can have a significant impact on the delivery of healthcare. Their knowledge and skills can help mitigate the impact of the nursing and primary care provider shortage looming on the industry horizon.
By filling the gap that this shortage could create, nurses can help ensure the best possible medical care for all patient groups, from infants needing specialized newborn care to patients seeking therapeutic help for their mental health. Ultimately, the work of a nurse practitioner can help organizations of all types develop nursing strategies that improve patient outcomes. The ability to make a difference on a concrete level makes the nursing role one of the most rewarding careers in the healthcare industry.
infographic sources:
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
Pay scale, average acute care nurse (ACNP) salary.
Salary scale, median family nurse (PE) salary.
Pay scale, average neonatal nurse (NP) salary.
Pay scale, average salary of a pediatric nurse (PE).
Pay scale, median salary of a psychiatric nurse (NP).