BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who diagnose and treat people of all ages who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their ability to perform everyday activities including: managing chronic illnesses, performing physical exams, prescribing medications, ordering and interpreting tests, educating patients on wellness, coordinating care, etc.

NPs examine each patient and create a specialized plan using treatment methods that help people to maintain health, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent illness. In addition, NPs work with people to stop loss of health before it happens by creating wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles.

HOW DO I BECOME A NURSE PRACTITIONER?

To become a professional nurse practitioner, you must obtain a master’s degree (MSN) or doctoral degree (DNP) in nursing from an accredited program after completion of a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) and licensure as a registered nurse (RN). A nurse practitioner must complete at least 6-8 years of college/professional education: four years of BSN/RN preparation and two to four years of the graduate MSN or DNP program. In order to be accepted to an NP program, you will need prerequisite courses in the fields of biological science, chemistry, statistics, English composition, and psychology. A certain grade-point average (GPA) is usually required for the prerequisite courses. Some schools will also want the applicant to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Nurse practitioner study is rigorous and admission to an NP program is extremely competitive.

WHAT WILL I LEARN IN NURSE PRACTITIONER SCHOOL?

Once accepted into a nurse practitioner school, the courses will consist of classwork in advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, advanced health assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and disease management. The program also provides clinical experience and education in the direct care of patients in a health care facility. This includes how to perform an appropriate examination and evaluation of patients of a variety of disorders, treatment interventions, and prescribing practices. Most programs include 2-3 years of classroom, laboratory, and clinical work. Nurse practitioner students get supervised experience in areas such as primary care and acute care.

LIFE AFTER GRADUATION

Licenses and Certifications

  • After finishing education requirements, graduates must obtain national certification in their specialty area (through AANP or ANCC) and apply for APRN licensure in Louisiana through the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. Several states also require a criminal background check. Continuing education is typically required for nurse practitioners to keep their license and prescriptive authority.
  • After gaining work experience, some nurse practitioners choose to become a board-certified specialist. Certification boards offer certification in multiple clinical specialty areas, including family, adult-gerontology, pediatric, and psychiatric-mental health. Board certification requires passing an exam and documented clinical hours in the specialty area.

o   Where do NPs Practice?

  • Outpatient clinics
  • Hospitals and inpatient facilities
  • Skilled nursing, extended care, or subacute facilities
  • Home Health
  • Education or research centers
  • Schools and colleges
  • Hospice
  • Industrial, workplace, or other occupational environments
  • Urgent care and retail clinics

Most NPs work full time and most work during normal business hours. Some NPs may work evenings or weekends.

SALARY INFORMATION*

Mean annual wage for LA: $124,850
Mean annual wage by region:
Northwest
            Shreveport/Bossier and surrounding area: $120,640
North Central
            Monroe: $114,230
Central
            Alexandria: $107,910
Southwest
            Lake Charles and surrounding area: $117,460
South Central
            Lafayette: $123,570
            Baton Rouge: $120,330
Southeast
            Houma/Thibodaux: $131,980
            New Orleans/Metairie/Kenner: $119,240
            Hammond: $121,500
Note: salary can change depending on the what area of nurse practitioner a person works in such as primary care, acute care, specialty, travelling, home health, etc.

LOUISIANA SCHOOLS

  • Louisiana State University Health Science Center – New Orleans (nursing.lsuhsc.edu)
  • Northwestern State University of Louisiana – Shreveport (www.nsula.edu)

Minimum Requirements to be Accepted
LSUHSC – New Orleans:

  • Hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university
  • Active unencumbered RN license in Louisiana (or compact state including Louisiana)
  • GPA of 3.0 or above in all undergraduate nursing courses
  • Relevant clinical experience preferred (no specific volunteer hours required)

Northwestern State University – Shreveport:

  • Hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited college or university
  • Undergraduate GPA of 2.5 overall or 2.75 in last 60 hours (or GRE score of at least 284 if not met)
  • At least 1 year of full-time RN experience (2 years hospital experience for some tracks)
  • Current unencumbered Louisiana RN license (or compact license including Louisiana)

PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION SOURCES

American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 525
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-740-2529
aanp.org
Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners (LANP)
PO Box 1359
Thibodaux, Louisiana 70302
225-293-7950
lanp.enpnetwork.com

*Salary information taken from http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_la.htm#29-1171