Nurse Practitioner
Specific work activities
Analyze patients’ medical histories, symptoms, and test results to determine the best diagnosis Order, perform, and interpret medical tests such as blood counts, electrocardiograms (EKG’s), and x-rays Prescribe medications based on patient’s condition, age, weight, and gender Develop treatment plans
Diagnose and treat illnesses, infections, and injuries
Counsel patients about medications, especially side effects and interactions with other drugs Recommend behavior and lifestyle changes to improve health and reduce the risk for serious medical concerns Educate patients about how to manage ongoing health conditions Maintain complete and detailed patient health records
Refer patients to medical specialists
Skills and abilities
Listen to others, understand, and ask questions
Express ideas clearly when speaking and writing
Read and understand work related problems
Notice when something is wrong or when something is likely to go wrong Use math skills and scientific methods to solve problems
Manage the time of self and others
Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work
Look for ways to help people
Persuade others approach things differently
Analyze needs and requirements when designing products
Helpful High School Classes
Anatomy and Physiology
Computer Applications
Health Education
Intro to Health Care
Nursing
Safety and First Aide
Physical Demands
Stand for a long period of time
Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects
Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them
See details of objects that are more than a few feet away
See differences between colors, shades, and brightness
Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects
Nearest college offering this career
3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Rd.
Portland, Oregon 97239-3098
Admissions Requirements
To work as a nurse practitioner, you typically need to:
have a high school diploma or GED;
have a bachelor’s degree in nursing;
graduate from a nurse practitioner degree program;
be licensed as a registered nurse; and
be certified as a nurse practitioner.
Cost of Program
tuition = 225 – 1300 per credit averaging about 22500 – 45000 books
Licensing and certification
In Oregon, nurse practitioners must be certified.
Applicants for a nurse practitioner certification must:
have a master’s degree from an approved registered nursing program; be licensed as a registered nurse in Oregon;
meet practice and continuing education requirements; and
complete a program in a specialty area.
Length of study for career
4 years of bachelor of science in nursing
3 years Masters of Science in nursing
Working Conditions
Have a high level of social interaction. They constantly talk to patients, doctors, nurses, and other medical staff. Are greatly responsible for the
health and safety of others. Are often placed in conflict or difficult situations in which others, especially patients and family members, may be rude or angry. Are responsible for the work done by other medical staff.
Communicate daily by phone, letters, memos, and in person. They use e-mail, but less frequently. Usually work as part of a team of medical professionals.
Are exposed to diseases and infections on a daily basis.
Always work indoors.
Regularly wear surgical gloves and masks to protect themselves. Are often exposed to contaminants.
Oregon wage
Hourly for Entry = 25.43
Monthly for Entry = 4407
Yearly for Entry = 52896
Hourly for median =
Monthly for median =
Yearly for median =
Hourly for top = 34.15
Monthly for top = 5918
Yearly for top = 71028
United States Wage
Hourly = 25.85 (entry) , 31.71 (median) , 38.65 (top)
Monthly = 4480 (entry) , 5495 (median) , 6698 (top)
Yearly = 53770 (entry) , 65950 (median) , 80390 (top)
Benefits
6708 of social security
3302 of 401k contributions
614 worth of disability insurance
6507 of health care insurance
5612 towards a pension fund
10792 for time off
Employment and outlooks
Oregon
2010 Employment = 31,299 (very large)
Growth rate through 2020 = 25.9%
Annual openings = 1,450 (very high)
United States
2010 Employment = 2,737,400
Growth rate through 2020 = 26.0
Annual openings = 1,207,400