Nurse Practitioner

A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice nurse with additional education and clinical training in a health care specialty area. They obtain medical histories, perform physical examinations, monitor patients with chronic diseases, assess and track acute and chronic illnesses, order and interpret lab tests and x-rays as needed, provide health education and disease prevention information to children and adults, and discuss disease prevention strategies with the public. Nurse practitioners also provide prenatal care and family planning. They recommend medications and medical treatments and are allowed by many states to prescribe medications

Work Environment
Nurse practitioners work in rural and urban settings such as rural health clinics, public health departments, community health centers, hospitals, physicians' offices, nursing homes, HMOs, student health clinics, and home health agencies. Where state law permits, nurse practitioners may establish their own offices for independent practice. Work hours for these professionals often exceed the usual eight-hour day, and they may be required to be on call to manage patient problems.

Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects growth in demand for nurse practitioners in Texas at 25 percent. From 1993 to 2005, 25,300 new job openings are expected. The growth of the rural health clinic program has increased the need for nurse practitioners in Texas. Currently, there is a shortage of nurses.

Length of Training/
Requirements

Applicants must have completed a B.S.N. and hold an RN certification prior to applying to a nurse practitioner program. Most NP programs require two to three years of advanced study.

Salary
Salary depends on education, speciality, geography, job setting, and experience. Current salaries range from $54,000 - $110,000+.

Educational Programs
Abilene Christian University
Baylor College of Medicine
Hardin-Simmons University
Houston Baptist University
McMurry University


Midwestern State University
Stephen F. Austin State University
Lamar University- Beaumont
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Texas Woman's University
The University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at Tyler
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The University of Texas Houston Health Science Center
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
The University of Texas Pan American at Edinburg
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
The Victoria College
West Texas State University

Professional Associations
American Academy of
Nurse Practitioners

P.O. Box 12846, Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
512/442-4262

American College of Nurse Practitioners
1090 Vermont Ave. NW #800
Washington, DC 20005
202/408-7050

National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & Practitioners (NAPNAP)
1010 Kings Highway North, Ste. 206
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-1912
609/667-1773

National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners/Nurses
800 South Frederick Ave., Ste. 104
Gaithersburg, MD 20833
301/330-2921

National Conference of Gerontological Nurse Practitioners
P.O. Box 232230
Centerville, VA 20120-2230
703/802-0088

Texas Nurse Practitioners
305 Spring Creek Village, Ste. 618
Dallas, TX 75248
972/404-3035
Fax: 972/726-7785


Health Career Pages information is one of many health careers resources available from AHEC centers. Please contact your regional center for further information and career counseling services.