Nurse Practitioner
"Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses who are prepared, through advanced education and clinical training, to provide a wide range of preventive and acute health care services to individuals of all ages. NPs complete graduate-level education preparation that leads to a master's degree. NPs take health histories and provide complete physical examinations; diagnose and treat many common acute and chronic problems; interpret laboratory results and X-rays; prescribe and manage medications and other therapies; provide health teaching and supportive counseling with an emphasis on prevention of illness and health maintenance; and refer patients to other health professionals as needed." (American College of Nurse Practitioners)
Programs
· There are hundreds of nurse practitioner programs in the US
· Each program offers a different array of specialties and degrees varying from certificate to doctoral degrees
· A list of accredited programs can be found online
· NP programs in Florida include:
o Florida Gulf Coast University
o Florida International University
o University Health Science Center-Jacksonville
o University of Central Florida
Admission Requirements
·Most programs look for a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
·The required courses vary with the program
·A minimum GRE score of 1000
·Letters of Recommendations
·Experience in healthcare is required
Timeline
·Applications are submitted to and reviewed by individual programs
Resources