North Carolina Nurse Practitioner Programs
Becoming a nurse practitioner may be one of your new career goals or it may be something that you’ve aspired to for many years. No matter why you want to take your nursing education to the graduate degree level and expand your career options, becoming a nurse practitioner may be an excellent choice for you if you’re dedicated to health care and patient care in North Carolina. Contact the North Carolina nursing schools that offer Nurse Practitioner programs to learn more today.
The North Carolina Department of Commerce reports that nursing is an excellent field for those who want to go into a high-paying, in-demand profession. As a registered nurse, you likely already know this. However, earning a Master’s degree may improve your job outlook even more.
Becoming a nurse practitioner may allow you to use some of the most modern technology in the health care field. WECT 6 in North Carolina reports that local clinics have started using teleconferencing technology for nurse practitioners and their patients. Being able to see more patients in a shorter amount of time may help nurse practitioners do their part to offset the doctor shortage in North Carolina.
Will becoming a nurse practitioner help you fulfill your nursing goals? If you want to learn more about this path, keep reading to discover nurse practitioner programs in North Carolina.
Nurse Practitioner Program Curriculum in North Carolina
Nurse practitioner programs in North Carolina may be offered on a part-time or full-time basis. This permits schools to accommodate working nurses as well as those who only want to work part-time in school. As a full-time student, it may take you about two years to earn the 30 credits required for a master’s degree in nursing. Part-time programs tend to last four to five years. Doctoral degrees may take much longer, depending on how much clinical work you complete.
After you have been accepted to a nursing program in North Carolina, you can begin applying for grants and scholarships from local organizations. The North Carolina Foundation for Nursingawards the Carol Ann Beerstecher Nursing Scholarship and the Mary Lewis Wyche Fellowship. Scholarships are also available through different schools, including the NCNA Triangle Region Academic Nursing Scholarship and the GNSA Scholarship. Through the College Foundation of North Carolina, you may qualify for numerous scholarships.
While in nursing school, you should plan on taking plenty of advanced nursing courses that build on your Bachelor’s-level education. Your curriculum may begin with core classes like Applied Advanced Physical Assessment, Physical Diagnostics, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Clinical Management. These courses pave the way for high-level classes like Primary Care of Adults, Primary Care of Children and Adolescents, and Primary Care of Seniors. As you move into the later part of your curriculum, you may get a lot of clinical experience. Most programs in North Carolina require over 600 clinical hours.
Working as a Nurse Practitioner in North Carolina
Your career as a nurse practitioner is regulated by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. They require you to apply for advanced practice status in North Carolina after you complete your education. To maintain your license, you must complete continuing education hours and apply for recertification every two years.
The job outlook for nurse practitioners is positive all over the United States, but it’s particularly bright in North Carolina. O*Net expects nurse practitioner jobs to increase by 37 percent through 2022. This job growth rate exceeds the national average by 3 percent (O*Net, 2012). In North Carolina, nurse practitioners report an average salary of $91,500 per year (O*Net, 2013).
Nurse practitioners are trusted medical professionals in North Carolina. Start your journey to this career by contacting North Carolina nurse practitioner schools now for program information.