14 Nov Annashae Celebrates NP’s During National Nurse Practitioner Week
National Nurse Practitioner Week is held annually to acknowledge and celebrate the exceptional work being done by NPs across the country.
Although nurse practitioners are legally allowed to practice in all 50 states, some restrictions are still placed on their range of practice. Such rules led to the AANP creating National Nurse Practitioner Week in 2004 to celebrate the importance of nurse practitioners and get lawmakers to remove the barriers to practice.
This year, the event will be held from November 13th to the 19th – and it offers many opportunities to highlight the NP role and increase awareness of the exceptional care they provide.
To help celebrate these dedicated healthcare professionals, we’ve provided a few of the top professional and personal skills that go into making a great NP:
1. They Have Excellent Clinical Skills
Becoming a nurse practioner takes experience, dedication and practice. While clinical skills may be just one of many abilities needed for an NP, they are extremely important. Clinical skills such as defining procedures, giving injections, discussing health issues with patients or conducting a physical exam are just a few of the things that separate an NP from an RN. These are often learned in school and on the job and require specific training. While some individuals choose to complete school before finding work, others work as a nurse during or between to gain clinical skills.
2. They are Clear Communicators
What makes communication a bellwether for NP excellence? Strong communication skills embody active listening and the ability to relay information to others. The best NPs facilitate conversations with patients about health matters, promote patient education, and help improve their short-and long-term health. In addition to working effectively with patients and families, NPs also serve as an important conduit between physicians and other nursing staff – both verbally and in written form – to enable positive patient outcomes.
3. They Show Compassion
For successful nurse practitioners, compassion often comes naturally – and it’s an important skill that can’t be underestimated. “Compassion” or “empathy” refer to the NPs ability to listen, engage, and understand a patient’s personal experience. A compassionate practitioner finds it easier to comprehend the needs of a patient. And this can often make the person feel relaxed enough to fully talk about their health concerns – leading to a more accurate diagnosis. Compassion has also been shown to strengthen the development and improvement of a patient/practitioner relationship over the long term.
Is an NP Career Right for You?
Licensed nurse practitioners are rapidly becoming an integral part of our national healthcare system because they lessen the burden of physicians across the country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, NPs earn $115,000 per year on average, out-earning RNs on average by more than $30,000 per year. And the field is expected to continue to grow by 26% over the next 10 years. NPs can choose specializations such as family practice or adult-gerontology and can work in a variety of healthcare environments.
Contact Annashae Healthcare Staffing and Consulting Today
If you’d like to learn more about a fulfilling career as a Nurse Practitioner, please reach out to an Annashae staffing professional!
At Annashae we’re dedicated to the placement of highly-skilled clinical practitioners in short and long-term positions. As a nationwide medical staffing and consulting firm, we provide a range of services that enable our candidates to quickly find the career opportunity that fits their needs. For information on how you can further your clinical career, contact us today.