Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners are nurses who have completed a graduate nursing degree and training in providing preventive and medical health care to individuals and families in association with a physician. The nurse practitioner provides health screening, performs physical examinations, orders laboratory tests and prescribes specific medications authorized by the physician. Nurse practitioners also educate patients about staying healthy. They often take care of special populations such as the rural poor, migrant farm workers, elderly persons and children. In communities or facilities with few physicians, nurse practitioners are especially important as providers of health care.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Nurse practitioners are employed at community clinics, health departments, medical practices, hospitals, migrant health clinics and prisons.

HIGH SCHOOL PREPARATION
General college preparation is recommended: Three courses in math including algebra I, algebra II and geometry, or a higher level math course for which algebra II is a prerequisite; three science courses including one biological science, one physical science and one lab course; four English units and two social studies units, including one in U.S. History; and two years of foreign language.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses (RNs) with four-year baccalaureate degrees who go on to complete graduate or certificate nurse practitioner programs. The program usually takes one to two years, depending on the educational institution. Graduates must then apply to the North Carolina Board of Nursing and the North Carolina Board of Medical Examiners for approval to practice as a nurse practitioner.

AVERAGE STARTING SALARY
$38,000 - $54,000.