The COVID-19 pandemic and recent state of healthcare has underlined the need for advanced medical professionals, more than ever before. In fact, in 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the healthcare industry will add more new jobs than any other employment sector, to help meet the growing demand. Of all the burgeoning careers in healthcare, however, the nurse practitioner job outlook shines the brightest.
In the United States today, nurse practitioners (NPs) are listed as the single, fastest-growing healthcare career. For those entering this field, or for RNs considering this leap, the nurse practitioner job outlook can translate to a plethora of job prospects, consistent job security, and strong compensation.
Are you considering becoming a nurse practitioner, and wondering what the future holds? With the job outlook and demand for NPs strong, prospective students can pursue an APRN degree with confidence as we move into 2022 and beyond.
What is the Current Job Outlook for Nurse Practitioners/APRNs?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for nurse practitioners is expected to grow 52% between 2020 and 2030. Not only is a nurse practitioner the fastest growing healthcare career, it’s also one of the five, fastest-growing occupations in the U.S. across all industries! That demand for NPs holds up for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who are specialized in certain areas of nursing—like Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs).
As is often the case, a growing job outlook for NPs is also translating into growing salaries. In Connecticut, NPs can expect an average, annual salary of $116,780. When you pursue a career with a positive job outlook, you can feel assured that you will have job security in your future.
Why is the Demand for Nurse Practitioners So High?
Today’s healthcare industry emphasizes the need for nurse practitioners. One of the reasons nurse practitioners are in such high demand is the change in how people are aging. People are now living longer—and, inherently, older people require more healthcare services. Conditions like arthritis, cataracts, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease are just some examples of conditions that affect older populations. This is coupled with the fact that baby boomers are also reaching retirement age. With the record-breaking, aging boomer population, comes an increasing demand for medical services.
Healthcare demands are also seemingly shifting, with greater focus on preventative care. Prioritizing preventative care opens up many jobs throughout the healthcare field. Nurse practitioners, in particular, often spend more time with their patients, which allows them to teach the health promotion required in preventative care. Some nurse practitioners, like Family Nurse Practitioners, also help to deliver primary, preventive care.
This leads us to another factor in the growing demand for nurse practitioners: State laws are changing regarding the level of care NPs can provide. APRNs are being allowed more practice authority and can perform more services, such as serving as primary care providers. A shortage of primary care physicians has allowed NPs to step up and fill this gap. As the world is faced with a seemingly endless amount of health issues, the demand for nurse practitioners continues to rise. We have seen APRNs and NPs step up to the plate amid the pandemic to provide necessary care and education. Yet, across the country, people continue to need high-quality care. Nurse practitioners are working to bridge this care gap. People interested in healthcare can help meet this dire need by pursuing a career as a nurse practitioner.
How Can You Advance to an APRN Career?
After realizing how fast the need for NPs is growing, you might be wondering how you can advance your career and pursue this title. Nurse practitioners and APRNs typically need at least a master’s degree in an advanced nursing field. For example, Goodwin University offers a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program or Psychiatric- Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program that will allow you to become an APRN. Each of these programs allows you to pursue your passion while gaining specialized knowledge in a dedicated nursing field.
Each APRN curriculum has been designed to help you accelerate your career and begin inspiring and impacting others. The FNP program will teach you a holistic approach to patient care and you will learn how to help patients in every stage of their lives. For those interested in learning key skills such as diagnosing, evaluating, and advocating for mental health treatment, the PMHNP program might be best for you.
Many APRN programs have certain requirements you must meet before you can start advancing your degree. Most will require you to have your Bachelor’s in Nursing as well as your registered nursing (RN) license. After meeting these requirements, you can decide on a specialized APRN master’s program that will help you to best reach your career goals. It is important to take time to find a program with curriculum that interests you.
Becoming a nurse practitioner has also never been easier with flexible classes that are offered part-time and online. You can advance your career at a schedule and pace that works best for you. Taking the next step to advance to an APRN career will set you up for a successful future, providing in-demand services to those who need care most.
If you are ready to start your journey towards an APRN or nurse practitioner career, reach out to Goodwin University today! For more information call 1-800-889-3282 or visit us online.
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.