Nurse practitioners diagnose medical conditions and educate patients, among other things.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are mid-level health care providers that are responsible for a variety of patient-related duties in settings such as hospitals, physician's offices, nursing homes, health clinics and urgent care centers. To become a nurse practitioner, first obtain your high school diploma or GED. Following this, earn a bachelor's degree in nursing, pass the NCLEX-RN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing) exam, then attend an accredited nurse practitioner program. Start preparing for your career as a nurse practitioner in high school.
Science Courses
Science courses, especially those concentrated in biology, anatomy and physiology, and chemistry, are important to take in high school. Biology courses teach you about the foundations of life, from basic cell structures to the characteristics of animal development. Studying anatomy and physiology is essential, since nursing careers require you to understand the parts and functions of the human body. In an anatomy and physiology course, students learn about the different systems in the body, such as the respiratory system and circulatory system. Basic chemistry courses are helpful in understanding cell and body functions, including how medications affect our bodies and how our bodies maintain homeostasis with pH.
Mathematics Courses
Nurses use algebra and calculus on a daily basis to figure out the doses of medications by using conversions and percentages and basing dosages on the patient's weight. A simple mathematical error could seriously hurt a nurse's patient, so it's very important to understand basic mathematics. You won't always have a calculator on hand to help you, so you should practice doing simple multiplication and division in your head until you're comfortable.
Language Courses
You need to be able to speak, write and read in English if you plan on attending a nursing program in the United States. For those interested in practicing nursing among underserved populations, it is helpful to understand some Spanish or whatever language is spoken among the population you wish to serve, since many patients will only be able to understand their native language. Even learning just a few phrases in a different language is helpful, such as "How are you feeling?" or "Where does it hurt?" Later on in your bachelor's or master's nursing program, you may be required to take a medical terminology class in a foreign language.
Courses such as speech communication or public speaking are important for future nurse practitioners to take, as NPs need to be comfortable speaking professionally to patients, the patients' families and the NPs' own co-workers.
Other Courses
Besides courses in biology, mathematics and foreign languages, it is helpful to take a course in health and nutrition in high school. In these classes, you become familiar with healthy eating and exercise, as well as how the body works. Some classes may go into illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes, or cover subjects such as sexually transmitted diseases and sexual reproduction.
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