Pursuing a degree as a nurse practitioner is an ideal step for those currently in roles as registered nurses (RN) wishing to develop further within their careers. A master’s degree in nursing is the minimum requirement with students expected to choose an area to specialize in. These typically include the following:
- Geriatric care
- Acute care
- Paediatric care
- Emergency care
- Psychiatric care
A minimum of two years working experience is also required in order to enrol for a nurse practitioner degree with the coursework incorporating a mix of classroom and clinical experience whilst including elements of:
- Nursing management
- Nursing research
- Clinical pharmacology
- Clinical Diagnosis
- Family care
- Pathophysiology
- Patient assessment
Some of the top online accredited schools to offer a nurse practitioner degree include: Western Governors University, Graceland University, University of Cincinnati and the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing.