Utah Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
With the large amount of growing families in Utah, the need for family nurse practitioners has never been greater. If you are currently a nurse with a Bachelor’s degree, you may be a great fit for a family nurse practitioner program. A family nurse practitioner has the skills and education to treat people of all ages, enabling them to see patients throughout the lifespan. You may perform annual health checks on patients, diagnose and treat illnesses, and help patients manage prescriptions. Nurse practitioners also are expected to keep up on the latest nursing research and what constitutes evidence-based care.
Family nurse practitioners are well-compensated in Utah. According to O*Net, the median annual income for a nurse practitioner is $82,600. You may be able to earn up to $114,400 per year, depending upon practice setting and experience. (O*Net, 2012).
In Utah, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners reports that you have to have a collaborative agreement with a physician in order to practice as a nurse practitioner. This does not include supervision or oversight, simply a document that outlines the nurse practitioner’s duties and restrictions. As a family nurse practitioner, you can still enjoy a considerable amount of freedom in how you work with your patients.
To find a program that can help you advance your practice and become a Nurse Practitioner in Utah, simply request information from the schools on this page. The more information you request, the better prepared you should be to take the next step in your nursing education.
Family Nurse Practitioner Curriculum in Utah
There are a variety of schools that offer nurse practitioner programs in Utah, making it easy for you to find a program that meets your needs. You can earn either your Master’s degree (MSN) or your Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. Some schools only offer a traditional daytime class schedule, while others give you the choice of taking evening or weekend classes. There are even programs that allow you to complete your classes online.
The variety of classes you take as a nurse practitioner student are meant to prepare you for every part of a nurse practitioner career. Some of the classes included in most programs are Diagnosis of Common Disorders, Pharmacology in Advanced Practice, Advanced Health Assessment, Evidence Based Practice, and Health Care Policy Advocacy.
Of course, there are clinical requirements in addition to the classes you complete. In Utah, most programs require you to complete between 600 and 800 clinical hours. Most schools have you begin your clinical hours early in the program, so you can immediately begin perfecting your skills and becoming comfortable working with patients. Most students graduate in 2 1/2 to four years.
Financing Your Family Nurse Pracitioner Program in Utah
As you figure out how you will pay for your Master’s degree, you should consider the many scholarships available to Utah students. One choice is the Elaine Gelman Nurse Practitioner Scholarship, a scholarship awarded annually to NP students.
Family Nurse Practitioner Careers in Utah
Before you can begin working as a family nurse practitioner, you have to get your advanced practice nursing license from the Utah Board of Nursing. You can then renew your license every two years. Licenses must be renewed by January 31 in even-numbered years. Once you have your collaborative agreement filed with the Board of Nursing, you can begin working within the limits of your agreement.
The majority of Utah nurse practitioners work in hospitals and health care clinics. Some of the largest nurse practitioner employers in Utah include Molina Healthcare and Covenant Dove.
Once you are a licensed nurse practitioner, you may also choose to join Utah Nurse Practitioners. Joining this association can allow you to learn about new job opportunities, connect with other nurse practitioners, and take advantage of continuing education opportunities.
