Transitioning from being an RN to an NP can be a challenging but rewarding experience. Thousands of nurse practitioners enter the workforce each year, and many of them make this move to improve their career prospects and earning potential. With the right education and preparation, it is possible to make this transition smooth and easy.
Roles and responsibilities of nurse practitioners
A nurse practitioner is a nurse who specializes in an advanced field, such as women’s health, psychiatry, emergency, gerontology or family health. NPs fall under the category of advanced practice registered nurses, or APRNs. These nurses either have a doctorate or a master’s degree and must pass a licensure exam before they can work as an NP. If you are aspiring to become a nurse practitioner, having hands-on clinical experience and higher education will help you transition from an RN role to an NP role.
Nurse practitioners can work in a number of settings and specialized fields, including:
- Palliative care and hospice
- Mental and psychiatric health
- Women’s health
- Pediatrics
- Acute care
- Family practice
The career outlook for nurse practitioners
There is no shortage of career opportunities for nurse practitioners. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for NPs are projected to grow by 28% through 2028. This is more than twice the growth rate for RNs and more than five times the rate of any other profession. With the current shortage of primary care physicians and nursing professionals, the demand for NPs focusing on primary care will be quite high.
Nurse practitioners have advanced credentials and more autonomy compared to registered nurses. This allows them to help alleviate the shortage of healthcare professionals so they can treat patients in any age group. There is also an incredibly high demand for skilled NPs in underserved and rural communities where healthcare options are limited.
The benefits of becoming a nurse practitioner
Nurses who are interested in becoming an NP will require an MSN degree. An RN to NP program, such as the one offered by Walsh University, will provide you with advanced clinical skills and academic coursework so you will be well-equipped to take on advanced duties and leadership roles. Here is a look at some of the benefits of making this transition.
- More career opportunities
There is currently an acute shortage of physicians and other healthcare professionals in the country. Every year, more healthcare providers retire, and nurse practitioners are in a unique position to fill these gaps. NPs can work in a variety of clinical settings, such as long-term care, hospitals and private practices. As our population grows older, there will be an increased demand for NPs to meet the healthcare needs of the aging population. NPs will continue to have access to more career opportunities in the future.
- Greater autonomy
Nurse practitioners have the experience needed to provide compassionate, high-quality care to their patients, whether they work on their own or in collaboration with other healthcare professionals. They play an important role in critical care and emergency settings to deliver improved healthcare and greater patient satisfaction.
In many states, nurse practitioners can also operate with complete autonomy. They do not need physician supervision to complete their duties. In other states, however, nurse practitioners may need to have partial or full physician approval in certain practice areas. Patients trust nurse practitioners to provide them with care, and they can enjoy career autonomy in many clinical duties. They can diagnose and evaluate patients, prescribe medications, manage and initiate treatments, and order diagnostic tests.
- Growth in income
One of the biggest benefits of transitioning from RN to NP is income growth. Although it is true that you will have to invest time and resources to complete advanced education to become a nurse practitioner, it will be worth the effort.
When you make this career move, you will see a major boost in your income potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs make an average of $73,300 per year. Nurse practitioners make much more annually at around $109,820. Once you make the transition to becoming a nurse practitioner and gain more experience, it is very likely that your salary will increase even more.
Nurse practitioners earn a higher income, enjoy more autonomy, and have a bright career outlook. They are also able to provide their patients with holistic care at every stage of their life. All of these factors contribute to making the transition from registered nurse to nurse practitioner a very rewarding career move.
Making your transition from RN to NP smooth
Change is always difficult and frustrating. Making the move from a role that you are familiar with to one that is different can present some challenges. Your goal should be to find ways to make this adjustment productive and easy. This will allow you to enjoy the benefits offered by this new role while keeping frustrations to a minimum. Here are a few strategies that can help make your move as easy as possible.
- Leverage prior experience
If you have been working as a registered nurse for a while, you may have grown comfortable in your role. You have likely already mastered your daily tasks and gained valuable experience in the process. When you make the move to nurse practitioner, the change can seem abrupt at first. In your first few months, you will need to learn new tasks and master new skills. It is important to remember that the work you put in as a registered nurse will serve you well and will be crucial for your success as a nurse practitioner. Even as a nurse practitioner, you will need to rely on core skills you learned as an RN, such as:
- Communication skills
- Healthcare and medical knowledge
- Strong relationships with staff and other healthcare providers
- Endurance
- Patient care and interaction
These skills will continue to benefit you in your new role as a nurse practitioner while you build new expertise and learn new skills. Leverage the intuition, experience and knowledge you have developed while working as a registered nurse to prepare for your new role.
- Focus on ongoing learning and professional development
There is an adjustment phase that occurs when making the shift from RN to NP. When you are transitioning to your new role, you will need to rely on the skills you learned during your professional NP program. Many healthcare organizations have formal orientation programs that make this transition easier, but this is not available in every organization.
Formal training and orientation are always preferable, but when they are not available, you will have to take care of your own learning and professional development. Talk to your mentors or teachers about ways you can prepare yourself for this change in roles. If you are applying for new jobs, make inquiries about the training and orientation opportunities provided by the organization.
Search for fellowship and residency programs that are designed specifically for new graduate nurse practitioners. An increasing number of healthcare organizations today have training programs in place to assist new nurse practitioners, and it is best to take advantage of them wherever possible.
Training programs reduce stress and frustrations for new nurse practitioners and provide them with the support they need to perform well on the job. There is a growing trend in the healthcare industry to provide these training programs, and if you are thinking about making a career change, you can take advantage of them.
- Focus on building strong relationships
As a new nurse practitioner, you will need the support of peers and other healthcare professionals to succeed. Learning and professional development will provide you with the foundation you need to succeed in your role, and having a good support system in place will only make things easier. One of the best ways to ensure your success as a nurse practitioner is by cultivating mentor and peer relationships. This will improve your effectiveness as a nurse practitioner, make the transition easier and provide you immense job satisfaction right from the start.
Team building and collaboration in the healthcare industry have several powerful benefits. When teams work together, patients experience positive outcomes and a better experience. It also reduces medical errors and makes the work environment positive and more enjoyable for everyone. There are several ways in which healthcare organizations can encourage collaborative environments between teams, such as:
- Focusing on team goals instead of individual goals
- Recognizing negative behaviors and avoiding them
- Encouraging emotional maturity
- Negotiating and communicating respectfully with everyone
- Managing conflicts promptly and wisely
- Avoiding fatigue by focusing on self-care
- Understanding the perspective of others
- Improving communication skills in all situations
If you have the opportunity, it is always a good strategy to partner with an experienced mentor when you transition from a registered nurse to a nurse practitioner. A mentor can guide you through the challenges you may face during the initial months as a new nurse practitioner. Many residency training and orientation programs already include mentorship programs. It is also possible to find a mentor for yourself through your professional network when these options are not available.