Do you intend to advance in your nursing career? Do you want to provide your patients with a higher level of care and go above and beyond your call of duty? So, why not become a nurse practitioner to advance your career as a healthcare professional!
What is a nurse practitioner?
A nurse practitioner (NP) is an experienced registered nurse (RN) who offers high-level medical treatment and works in a clinical setting. All NPs are required to have a master's degree and certified by the Nurse and Midwives Board of Australia's endorsement (NMBA). In Australia, nurse practitioners are a highly respected and essential component of the medical workforce.
The position was initially created in response to the rising demand for healthcare, particularly in rural and distant areas where there may not be enough health experts accessible. A nurse practitioner has in-depth clinical knowledge and gives nurses the chance to advance above the level of an RN in their profession
General duties
You will be able to treat medical issues as a nurse practitioner without the direct supervision of a doctor. NPs are clinical and organisational leaders who are typically assigned to areas where their advanced education and experience will be most helpful. It is typical for nurse practitioners to operate independently as well as with other healthcare providers. Furthermore, you have access to professional situations that average nurses do not.
You can take on different tasks and have varying daily duties in a variety of healthcare settings. A nurse practitioner will especially be:
- Referring patients directly to other healthcare practitioners
- Diagnosing a patient’s health issue
- Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests
- Prescribing medication
- Establishing and implementing therapy strategies in cooperation with your patients, their families, and other medical experts
- Providing ongoing medical treatment to your patient
Qualifications and experience
First, you must be an active registered nurse in Australia to be eligible to become a nurse practitioner. There should be no conditions attached to your registration regarding poor performance or improper behaviour. If you are not a registered nurse already, you must pursue a Bachelor of Nursing degree and apply for registration.
The next step to become a nurse practitioner, you must complete a Master of Nursing programme, have at least three years (or 5,000 hours) of experience in a speciality clinical practise within the previous six years, and have completed a year of pertinent advanced practice. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council must accredit your master's degree in nursing (ANMAC). If the programme isn't, you won't be eligible to register as a nurse practitioner in accordance with Section 49(1) of the National Law. You can apply for NMBA endorsement after completing the required master's degree programme. Only after that can you refer to yourself as a nurse practitioner and work in a relevant position.
Salary of Nurse practitioners
The Nurse Award (2010), as well as other state awards and agreements that set greater minimum pay levels, determine the compensation or salaries of nurse practitioners in Australia. In addition, nurse practitioners employed in private practises typically earn higher salaries than those employed in positions in the public sector.
According to au.talent.com, the average salary of a nurse practitioner in Australia is $129,025 per year or $66.17 per hour. While most experienced workers make up to $134,998 per year, entry-level positions begin at $126,506 annually.
As you hold one of the most senior nursing positions in the nursing sector, nurse practitioners are paid among the best salaries and wages in the industry, second only to nursing directors.
Is this role suitable to me?
A nurse practitioner is someone who wants to develop in their career and improve their nursing abilities. If you want to pursue a more in-depth specialised professional career in nursing and healthcare, such as immunology, cardiology, orthopaedics, occupational health, oncology, and other fields, this is ideal for you.
Opportunities and career prospects
Once you become a nurse practitioner, a whole new world of clinical practice becomes available to you. You will become versatile and adaptable because of the knowledge and abilities you will learn in the master's programme. You'll be able to collaborate with most multidisciplinary teams and get to put sophisticated evaluation and diagnostic principles to use. Your practice will encompass a wide range of fields, including but not restricted to:
- Geriatric care
- Maternal health
- Mental health
- Perioperative care
- Paediatric care
- Primary care
- Critical care
- Acute or palliative care
Conclusion
In Australia, nurse practitioners have been a key contributor to closing the healthcare system's disparities. You will have the opportunity to open your own private practice as the job market continues to expand. If you are interested in becoming a Nurse practitioner, feel free to contact our experts at MWT Education Consultancy who will assist you in every way possible in your career.
