— Brandy
Response: There is a high demand for nurse practitioners particularly in geriatric/adult care. Other specialty areas for nurse practitioners include pediatrics, family nursing, and psychiatric-mental health nursing.
Earnings
The beginning annual salary of a nurse practitioner in the Los Angeles area ranges from $60,000 to $82,000 with a median of $68,000. In comparison, registered nurses with five years of experience earn $44,000 to $60,000 with a median of $51,000.
Certificate Requirements
In order to qualify for work as a nurse practitioner, you need to be certified by the State of California Board of Registered Nursing. Certification requirements include completion of a board-approved postgraduate educational program (at least 30-semester units) in a nursing specialty area. In addition, you must pass a certification examination.
For further information, contact:
- State of California Board of Registered Nursing
- 400 R Street, Suite 4030
- Sacramento, CA 94244
- (916) 322-3350
- Fax (916) 327-4402
- www.rn.ca.gov
- Sacramento, CA 94244
Training Options and Costs
The minimum requirement for admission into a master's degree nurse practitioner program includes being licensed as a registered nurse, RN.
A nurse practitioner educational program involves completion of clinical and advanced course work. Clinical internships are required as well. Internships provide students with experience in one-on-one specialized patient care. Student nurse practitioners must be covered by professional liability insurance.
The following offer board-approved nurse practitioner master's degree programs in the Los Angeles County area:
- California State University at Los Angeles (CSULA)
- College of Health and Human Services
- 5151 State University Drive
- Los Angeles, CA 90032
- (323) 343-4710
- www.calstatela.edu
- Contact: Nursing Department
- (323) 343-4700
- 5151 State University Drive
Liability insurance is available through the CSULA student chapter of the California Nurses' Association.
Graduate tuition is approximately $2,300 per semester for full-time students.
- California State University at Long Beach
- College of Health and Human Services
- 1250 Bellflower Blvd.
- Long Beach, CA 90840
- www.csulb.edu
- Contact: Nursing Department
- (562) 985-4463
- 1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Liability insurance carriers include Transamerica and American Insurance Group.
Graduate tuition is approximately $1,400 per semester for full-time students.
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- PO Box 951702
- Los Angeles, CA 90095
- (310) 825-4321
- www.nursing.ucla.edu
- Contact: School of Nursing
- (310) 825-7181
- Los Angeles, CA 90095
Students are provided liability insurance coverage by the school.
Graduate tuition is approximately $3,000 per quarter for full-time students.
Professional Associations
While completing a nurse practitioner training program, you could join the following associations to enhance your professional development:
- California Association for Nurse Practitioners
- 1414 K. Street, Suite 300
- Sacramento, CA 95814
- (707) 575-8090
- Fax (707) 575-8620
- www.canpweb.org
- E-mail: admin@canpweb.org
- Sacramento, CA 95814
- Los Angeles Region
- PO Box 7895
- Mission Hills 91346
- (818) 725-3778
- Mission Hills 91346
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
- P.O. Box 12846
- Austin, TX 78711
- (512) 442-4262
- Fax (512) 442-6469
- www.aanp.org
- Austin, TX 78711
- American College of Nurse Practitioners
- 1111 19th St. NW Suite 404
- Washington DC 20036
- (202) 659-2190
- Fax (202) 659-2191
- www.nurse.org
- Washington DC 20036
Job Description
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who are board certified to provide advanced patient care in a specialized area of practice. They provide physical diagnosis, psychosocial assessment, and management of patient care.
Though usually supervised by a physician, the physician need not be present when services are provided. The physician may authorize the nurse practitioner to interview and examine patients, take medical histories, treat routine problems, and order laboratory tests.
Nurse practitioners may advise the patient on emotional and social problems that affect the patient's health. They also work with the patient's family by advising them on health care and lifestyle choices.
As of January 2000, the board granted nurse practitioners the authority to sign for the delivery and receipt of drug samples including controlled substances. Prior to 2000, only physicians were authorized by law to sign for the receipt of medication by pharmaceutical companies or their representatives.
— • —
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.
E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com or visit California Career Services at www.californiacareerservices.com.
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