10 Types of Nurse Practitioners
If you’re an RN wanting to advance your clinical career, becoming a nurse practitioner could be a great next move. As an NP, you’ll have an enhanced scope of practice, more training, and more authority as a clinical provider. But did you know that there are more than a dozen different types of nurse practitioners? This career path offers options and flexibility.
An NP is a nurse that has acquired advanced skills and training, allowing them to take on the role of medical provider. NPs can diagnose patients, prescribe medications, perform assessments, and make changes to care plans. In some states, NPs must work under a physician, but in others they have full practice authority.
Nurse practitioners are essential for helping patients access care — of full-time NPs, 83.2% see Medicare patients, and 81.9% see Medicaid patients. Over 70% of NPs are Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs), meaning that they are trained to care for a broad range of patients and conditions, and can work in multiple settings. By becoming an NP, you’ll not only be elevating your career, but also increasing access to care.
To become an NP, you’ll first need to have an RN license, and many schools require one to two years of clinical experience before you can apply to an NP program. A master of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) will prepare you for this role, and once you’ve graduated, you’ll need to become board certified in your state by sitting for an exam.
Different Types of Nurse Practitioners
Here are 10 of the most common types of NP specialties:
1. Cardiac Nurse Practitioner
NPs specializing in cardiology treat patients with heart and vascular problems. They may work in a clinic setting, a hospital, or specialty office. Cardiac NPs work closely with cardiologists to assess, diagnose, treat, and monitor patients. They see diagnoses like congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and structural heart problems. If you’re fascinated by the heart’s electrical and pumping mechanisms, and you enjoy educating patients about heart-healthy lifestyles, this could be a great specialty for you.
2. Dermatology Nurse Practitioner
Dermatology NPs treat skin, hair, and nail conditions. Their duties may include screening for skin cancer, evaluating a patient’s hair loss, or investigating psoriasis. These NPs typically work in outpatient settings like dermatology clinics and medical aesthetics offices, but you can also find them in burn units, surgical centers, and telederm offices. This is a great role for nurses who are fascinated by the science of skin, and enjoy helping patients understand how to care for the largest organ in the body.
3. Emergency Nurse Practitioner
NPs that specialize in emergency medicine are skilled at assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients with life-threatening health issues. In ENP jobs, you might see a patient for chest pain, drain a skin abscess in the next room, and evaluate a patient for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). An ENP’s greatest skills are thinking quickly on their feet, and anticipating changes in patient conditions. If you enjoy a fast-paced work environment and you’re interested in providing comfort and care in high-stress situations, you could make a great ENP.
4. Family Nurse Practitioner
Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) are one of the most common types of nurse practitioners, and are go-to healthcare providers for individuals and families across all ages. As an FNP, you might treat a toddler with an ear infection, counsel a teenager on mental health, and manage an adult’s diabetes care — all in the same day. FNPs excel at building long-term relationships with patients, providing holistic care that focuses on prevention and wellness. Nurses who enjoy forging bonds with patients and promoting healthy lifestyles could make great FNPs.
5. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNPs) specialize in caring for the tiniest and most vulnerable patients — newborns. In this role, you’ll work in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), managing the care of premature infants, those with low birth weight, or newborns with complex medical conditions. Your day might involve monitoring patients’ hyperbilirubinemia, adjusting ventilator settings, and supporting families during some of the most challenging times of their lives.
6. Oncology Nurse Practitioner
Oncology Nurse Practitioners care for patients facing cancer, working in clinics, hospitals, and treatment centers. They assess, diagnose, and manage cancer care, from prescribing chemotherapy to managing symptoms like dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). ONPs are key in coordinating treatment plans with oncologists, monitoring responses, and supporting patients and families through their journey. If you’re passionate about making a deep impact and providing cancer care, pursuing oncology nurse practitioner jobs could be your calling.
7. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
If you like kids and infants, consider becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner. These clinicians can work in outpatient offices, pediatrics clinics, hospitals, and large medical centers. Peds NPs can perform well-child exams, manage vaccinations and prescriptions, diagnose developmental issues, and more. PNPs are experts in child health, providing not just medical care but also guidance on growth, nutrition, and development.
8. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) treat patients with conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Working in mental health clinics, inpatient psychiatric wards, and private practices, they are essential care providers for these patients. In PMHNP jobs, you might adjust an existing patient’s medication regimen, perform intake on a patient with new psychiatric symptoms, and educate a patient on a new diagnosis. If you’re passionate about mental health and you’d like to make a difference in the lives of patients who are struggling with psychiatric illnesses, consider becoming a PMHNP.
9. Surgical Nurse Practitioner
An SNP specializes in helping patients prepare, undergo, and recover from surgery. They work alongside surgeons in hospitals, outpatient surgical centers, and specialty practices to assist in procedures. Surgical NPs perform tasks like suturing, wound care, and monitoring patients for complications, while also educating them about the surgical process. This is a great role for nurses who are drawn to the precision and pace of surgery and want to play a critical role in patient care throughout the surgical experience.
10. Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
If you’re dedicated to supporting women’s health with a focus on comprehensive and compassionate care, a career as a WHNP might be perfect for you. These NPs provide specialized care for women throughout their lives, from gynecological exams to prenatal and postnatal care. Working in clinics, obstetric practices, and women’s health centers, WHNPs handle a range of issues including menstrual disorders, menopause symptoms, and reproductive health.
Find Roles for NPs and Other Nursing Professionals
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