Career Playbook Logo

Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who can diagnose and treat medical conditions, prescribe medications, and provide comprehensive patient care.

Example Day-to-Day

Daily work includes performing physical exams, diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions, prescribing medications, ordering and interpreting tests, developing treatment plans, counseling patients, and managing patient care independently or in collaboration with physicians.

Scorecard

Click on a score to see why it received that rating

How to Get Started

Education Requirements

Nurse Practitioners must first become Registered Nurses, then complete a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. Must obtain national certification in their specialty area. Total education is typically 6-8 years.

Best Majors

  • Nursing

Best Colleges for Those Majors

  • Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
  • Vanderbilt University
  • Duke University
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Columbia University

Related Scholarships

  • Nurse Practitioner Scholarships
  • Advanced Practice Nursing Scholarships
  • Healthcare Scholarships
  • National Health Service Corps Scholarships