NURSE PRACTITIONER


The advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) is a registered nurse with advanced, specialized education in health assessment which qualifies one to provide primary health care, health promotion/disease prevention services and to manage acute and chronic health problems across the life span in a variety of settings. Nurse practitioners take medical histories, perform physical examinations, order appropriate tests and diagnose and prescribe medication and treatment for health problems. Nurse practitioners may specialize in adult, family, newborn, pediatric, women's, school, mental or geriatric health. Nurse practitioners practicing in Kentucky have recently been granted prescriptive authority. (Also see Clinical Specialist Nurse).

Education

Typical nurse practitioner educational preparation requires a four-year undergraduate degree in nursing and a two-year masters degree in nursing. Applicants for most NP programs must have a bachelors degree and successful experience as a registered nurse in a variety of settings.

Registration/Certification/Licensure

Licensure is a process that takes place at the state level (through the Kentucky Board of Nursing) and certification is established through a national organization. Passing a national certification specialty board exam is mandatory for nurse practitioners to practice in Kentucky.

Salary

$39,000-70,000

Employment Opportunities

Nurse practitioners practice in virtually every health care setting including clinics, home health, urgent/emergency care centers, industrial health programs, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, schools, colleges, Veterans' Administration (VA) facilities, hospitals and private practices either by themselves or with a collaborative physician.

Programs

Eastern Kentucky University (Family & Rural Community NP) (859) 622-1956
Morehead State University (Primary Care NP)  (606) 783-2296
Murray State University (Family NP)  (270) 762-6671
Northern Kentucky University (Primary Care NP)  (859) 572-5248
Spalding University (Family & Adult NP) (502) 585-7125
University of Kentucky (Family, Adult & Gerontologic NP) (859) 233-6533
University of Louisville (Adult, Gerontologic, Women's Health, Neonatal NP)  (502) 852-5366
Western Kentucky University (Primary Care NP) (270) 745-3391

Professional Association

American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
45 Foster Street, Suite A
Lowell, MA 01851
(512) 442-4262
 

Last updated:  June 26, 2001