Whether you are trying to decide what you should study in college or you are looking to make a career switch, a career as a nurse practitioner may be just the career you’re looking for. It’s a fast growing field that comes with many benefits, and you will be doing a great service for your patients. If you are thinking about this career path, consider the advantages of working as a nurse practitioner:
- It Offers Independence
You will be independently licensed, which means that you will be a nurse practitioner and also have the option to open your own practice. If you are able to open a successful practice, you can make a significant amount of money. In 2012, the average salary of a nurse practitioner was $89,960, while the highest-paid 10 percent earned $120,500. This is well above the average salary in the United States.
- It's an In-Demand Field
There’s a huge demand for nurse practitioners. Once you graduate from your program, you will essentially be able to work anywhere in the country as long as you’re licensed for that state. You will be able to find a spot working in whatever setting you want, and you can decide whether you want to work part-time or full-time.
- You Can Find Loan Forgiveness
You may be eligible to have your student loans forgiven. Once you graduate and are certified, if you choose to work in an underserved area like a rural or inner city clinic, you may be able to have all of your student loans forgiven.
- You'll Feel Good About What You Do
You will be making a direct impact on people's lives every day. There aren't many careers where you get to earn a good salary while also seeing the impact you have on someone's life. As a nurse practitioner, you can make people’s lives better and feel as if you did something worthwhile.
- There are Flexible Program Options
You can earn your license while also working full-time if you need to. Many programs out there are offered in a hybrid format, which means that you will be able to take some of your classes online instead of meeting in person every day. There are also a ton of programs that offer evening classes for people who go to work during the day.
Becoming a nurse practitioner is one of the best decisions that you can make if this is a career field that interests you. The degree programs are accessible to all types of students, and this career provides tremendous rewards. Nurse practitioners earn one of the highest paying salaries, and feel good about the work they do for others. There aren't many careers that offer these perks and flexibility.
