Finding nurse practitioner jobs can be incredibly rewarding, as this field is involved in providing medical services to patients. There is nothing as satisfying as making a positive difference in the lives of others. Pursuing a career as a nurse practitioner is also directly beneficial to you, as job prospects are incredibly promising and salaries for nurse practitioners are very strong. Let’s take a closer look at why becoming a nurse practitioner is extremely worthwhile for the job prospects and salary the field can provide.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioner jobs are expected to grow some 22 percent between the years 2008 and 2018. There are several reasons that a career as a nurse practitioner is recession-proof. First, the population of older people continues to increase very rapidly. As the large baby boom population continues to age and require more medical attention, the prospects for nurse practitioner jobs will continue to remain strong. Another reason that job prospects are very strong for nurse practitioners right now is that the weak economy and lack of jobs have really hit many individuals hard financially. These individuals still require medical care and attention, but paying for a doctor may just be too expensive. In comparison to doctors, nurse practitioners are more affordable and still provide high quality care. Nurse practitioners can prescribe medicine just like doctors do. Additionally, nurse practitioners are widely accessible, which means that demand will be highest in inner city and rural locations.
The average salary of nurse practitioners is $78,000 in the United States, which is roughly around $12,000 more per year than a registered nurse. This means that added costs to you in completing the master’s degree required to become a nurse practitioner can be justified in future earning power. New York and New Jersey boast the highest salaries for Nurse Practitioners in the nation. The average salary for a nurse practitioner in Newark, New Jersey is roughly $110,000, which far exceeds the national average.
If you choose to pursue nurse practitioner jobs, you can feel confident knowing that job prospects and salary are strong for this field, as it is embedded in the healthcare industry.