Nurse practitioners (NPs) are vital to the healthcare system, providing patient care for a wide range of patients. As the demand for NP care continues to increase, so will the number of nurse practitioner jobs.
Below lists five unique nurse practitioner jobs to consider that offer rewarding career paths and diverse work environments.
1. Telehealth nurse practitioner
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the use of telehealth greatly increased. In fact, more than 20% of adult patients had a telehealth visit in July 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Telehealth has revolutionized the way healthcare is delivered. For patients who have a phone, computer access, and are comfortable using these formats for their healthcare, telehealth offers them convenience and accessibility.
Telehealth nurse practitioners provide remote health and wellness consultations, diagnose illnesses, and create patient treatment plans using a variety of digital platforms.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct virtual patient assessments via video or phone.
- Diagnose and treat various medical conditions.
- Prescribe medications.
- Develop treatment plans.
- Offer patient education and preventive care advice.
- Collaborate with other healthcare professionals.
Benefits:
- Flexible work schedule
- Ability to work from home
- Reduced exposure to infectious diseases
- Increased access to rural or underserved populations
Qualifications:
- Hold an active RN and NP license (for the state being served or hold multi-state licensures)
- Board certification as per the practice setting, patient population served, and employer’s requirements
- Excellent communication skills
- Strong technological skills
- Comfortable with digital health platforms
- A dependable, high-speed internet connection
Growth prospects: The use of telehealth is projected to continue its expansion, driven by advancements in technology and increasing patient demand for remote care. As such, telehealth nurse practitioner jobs are expected to remain high.
2. Forensic nurse practitioner
Forensic nurse practitioners work at the intersection of healthcare and the justice system. They provide care to patients who have experienced trauma or violence. They may also be involved in collecting evidence and providing testimony in court.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct medical examinations of survivors of crime or violence.
- Collect and document forensic evidence.
- Provide expert testimony during legal proceedings.
- Work with law enforcement and legal professionals.
- Offer counseling and support to survivors.
Benefits:
- Unique and challenging work environment
- Opportunity to make a significant impact on survivors’ lives
- Diverse career paths within the legal and healthcare systems
Qualifications:
- Certification in forensic nursing (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, also known as SANE)
- Hold an active, unrestricted RN license in the state they’re practicing in
- Some forensic nurses are also board-certified NPs with an active license in their state
- Knowledge of and ability to follow legal and medical protocols for evidence collection
- Strong analytical skills
- Excellent communication skills
Growth prospects: The need for forensic nurse practitioners is rising, particularly as awareness of issues such as sexual assault and domestic violence increases. Forensic nursing professionals are crucial in ensuring survivors receive both medical care and justice from the legal system.
3. Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
With the global and U.S. population aging rapidly, the growth of nurse practitioner jobs specializing in geriatric care is surging. Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners (AGNPs) focus on the unique health needs of older adults, managing chronic conditions, conducting wellness education, and teaching healthy aging strategies.
Responsibilities:
- Perform comprehensive adult and geriatric health assessments.
- Managing acute and chronic illnesses.
- Develop and implement care plans specific to older adults.
- Educate patients and families on aging-related health issues.
- Coordinate care with other healthcare professionals.
Benefits:
- High demand
- Rewarding work
- Nurse practitioner jobs and opportunities exist in a variety of settings, such as private medical offices, clinics, nursing homes, home health, telehealth and hospitals
Qualifications:
- Earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a specialization as an AGNP, or a MSN with a post-master’s certificate as an AGNP
- Hold a board certification as an AGNP by either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
- Hold active RN and NP licenses in the state in which you’re practicing
- Knowledge of age-related health conditions and treatments
- Compassion and patience
Growth prospects: Given the fact that by the year 2030, all Baby Boomers in the U.S will be age 65 or older, the number of nurse practitioner jobs for AGNPs is expected to grow.
4. Pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP)
Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) specialize in providing healthcare for infants, children, and adolescents. The need for PNPs is great as according to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of July 1, 2023, nearly 22% of the U.S. population was under the age of 18 years.
PNPs diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries, provide preventive care and health education and support the physical and emotional development of their patients.
If you enjoy caring for infants, children and adolescents, you may want to consider becoming a PNP.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct routine wellness exams and sports physicals.
- Diagnose and treat common childhood illnesses.
- Administer routine vaccinations.
- Educate parents on their child’s health, growth and development.
- Provide counseling and support for behavioral and developmental issues.
- Coordinate care with other health professionals.
Benefits:
- Rewarding work helping infants, children, adolescents and their families
- Nurse practitioner jobs and opportunities occur in various settings such as private pediatric offices, ambulatory and hospital outpatient clinics, schools and hospitals
- Strong job growth due to ongoing demand for pediatric care
Qualifications:
- Pediatric nurse practitioner certification from either the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board or the ANCC
- Earn an MSN with a specialization as a PNP, or hold an MSN and a post-master’s certificate as a PNP
- Hold active RN and NP licenses in the state you are practicing in
- Expertise in child health, growth and development
- Strong communication skills
- Empathy
Growth prospects: With nearly 22 % of the population under the age of 18 years of age, nurse practitioner jobs in pediatric care are growing. PNPs play a crucial role in ensuring the healthy growth and development of the next generation.
5. Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP)
Awareness of the importance of maintaining good mental health is increasing and is now recognized as an essential component of overall health care. The need for mental health care is great. Currently, there is a shortage of psychiatrists in the U.S. and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) can help fill the gap in this shortage.
Nurse practitioner jobs for PMHNPs entail diagnosing and treating mental health conditions, prescribing medications, providing therapy (depending on the practice setting) and promoting mental health and wellness.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct psychiatric evaluations and mental health assessments.
- Diagnose and treat mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder.
- Provide individual, group, or family therapy in some practice settings.
- Prescribe psychiatric medications.
- Collaborate with other healthcare professionals.
Benefits:
- High demand
- Diverse career opportunities in various settings (private practice, community mental health centers, private offices, clinics)
- Opportunity to make a significant impact on patients' lives
Qualifications:
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification (PMHNP) from either the ANCC or the AANP
- Hold and active RN and NP license in the state in which you practice
- Earn an MSN with a specialization as a PMHNP or, a earn a Master of Science in Nursing plus earn a post-master’s certificate as a PMHNP
- Deep understanding of mental health conditions and treatments
- Strong therapeutic skills
- Excellent communication skills
Growth prospects: The mental health field is experiencing brisk growth, driven by an increased awareness and reduced stigma around mental health conditions. PMHNPs are essential in addressing the mental health needs of diverse populations.
These five unique nurse practitioner jobs highlight some of the unique roles NPs can pursue in their careers. These jobs can offer exciting career possibilities for those looking to make a meaningful impact as a health professional in the lives of patients.
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