Introduction
Nursing practitioner (NP) is an important personnel in healthcare because they act as a primary care provider to their patients. This shows that nurse practitioners can provide care to their patients even when they are not being directly supervised by a physician. When it is necessary, they can write prescriptions and place orders for diagnostic tests (Career Builder, 2022). NP can diagnose and treat the vast majority of acute and chronic conditions because they work directly with patients. They are authorized to provide counseling and education, as well as perform physical examinations, order diagnostic tests, and interpret the results of those tests.
The NP is a practice that has gone through a series of changes. It began in the 1890s when nurses who visited the US moved to remote areas to offer care to underserved populations. Based on this, Loretta Ford and Henry, a nurse and doctor respectively initiated the first NP program to enhance healthcare in the US. By 1983, because the program was supported by the federal government, there were approximately 23,000 NPs providing care in different settings in the country (Gardenier et al., 2019). However, their role was limited, and were supposed to work under the supervision of a doctor. In the 1990s, changes were made and NPs could treat patients, but they could not prescribe (Gardenier et al., 2019). Today, NPs can treat, diagnose, prescribe medicines, and perform other roles.
In the area of education, a nurse practitioner is required to have a bachelor’s degree and a master’s. Firstly, a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) is required for an individual to apply for a graduate NP program. This is an indication that one cannot be an NP unless they have BSN. Secondly, a master of science in nursing is needed since it builds on the foundational knowledge of the BSN degree (Career Builder, 2022). For certifications, NPs are required to have an RN license after passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and NP licensure after passing National NP Certification Board Exam. Other certifications are the DEA license and NP graduate certificate.
Major Functions of a Nurse Practitioner
There are several major functions of a nurse practitioner in a healthcare setting. One of the main roles of an NP is treating patients with chronic illnesses and other diseases. They obtain crucial healthcare information such as medical history from patients. For example, they ensure that the patient’s medical history is documented. They can order diagnostic testing and engage in the process (Career Builder, 2022). NP can examine the findings from the diagnostic testing and draft prescriptions for any necessary medications that patients may require.
Projected Job Growth of NP in Minnesota
Projected job growth is a prediction of how an occupation will grow over a given period. The information is important for practicing and aspiring Nurse Practitioners in Minnesota. In this state, the projected NP job growth is 27.8% while the Nation’s projected growth rate for NP is 36.1%. This is an indication that the projected growth rate for the Nation is higher than that of Minnesota.
Average Salary Range
Nursing practitioners are paid well in Minnesota because they can undertake the roles of a physician. Minnesota is a self-governing practice state for nurse practitioners, meaning that NPs are allowed to make diagnoses and prescribe and administer drugs, controlled substances, and therapeutic devices. Due to these roles in the setting, NP gets a good salary. As shown in the table below, the average nurse practitioner salary in Minnesota is $44.57 – 61.06 per hour, which accumulates to $7,730 – 10,580 a month or $92,710 – 127,010 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). Therefore, NP earnings in states like Minnesota are high due to the full scope of practice.
Similar Job Titles
There are several similar job titles to a nurse practitioner. The first job title is registered nurse, who is licensed by the state to offer and coordinate patient care. The second job title is physician assistant, who is a licensed medical expert who holds an advanced degree and can offer direct patient care (Career Development Network, n.d.). The third job title is a nurse anesthetist whose main role is to offer pain medication care for patients before, during, and after surgery. The fourth job title is family and general practitioner because they diagnose, attend to patients, and help avoid ailments and injuries which commonly happen among people.
5 Employers Who are Hiring NP
Several organizations employ nurse practitioners in Minnesota. As shown in Indeed (2022), Hennepin Healthcare is among the employers of nurse practitioners. They posted they want to full-time NP in the facility who has worked as a registered nurse within the past five years. The second employer is the Allina Healthcare System which had made varied posts for the NP position on the website. The third organization that hires NPs in this state is Minnesota Community Care. The fourth employer is CVS Health Retail and the Fifth is North Memorial Healthcare.
A Marketing Plan for NP
- Product: I want to give patients and their families the best care possible on all levels, no matter the person’s gender, age, or social class.
- Price: The NP’s salary will be in the middle of the average range for the state. I will take anything between $59 and $61.
- Place: As a nurse practitioner, I need to know my client and where they live.
- Promotion: The NP needs to be able to sell themself to the industry by giving quality care. The NP needs to be able to sell themself to the industry by giving quality care (Sangamnere, 2019).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the nurse practitioner must be able to provide direct care to both patients and their families. The evaluation, prognosis, and treatment must be capable of improving health and preventing disease (Tracy et al., 2022). Theories that have been developed over time serve as the foundation for the nursing profession. Both the patient and the practitioner can benefit from higher quality and safety as a result. Evidence-based practice is connected to knowledge of death, labs, symptoms, and quality of life (Tracy et al., 2022).
References
Nursing Degree Search. (2019). Nurse Practitioners in Minnesota.
Sangamnere, B. S. (2019). Consumer-Driven Technologies in Healthcare: Breakthroughs in Research and Practice. IGI Global.
Tracy, M. F., O’Grady, E. T., & Phillips, S. J. (2022). Hamric & Hanson’s Advanced Practice Nursing-E-Book: An Integrative Approach. Elsevier Health Sciences.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022). Occupational Outlook Handbook.