Registered Nurse - Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you’re considering applying for a Registered Nurser (NP) position or you’ve already got an interview for the role, here’s what you need to know about being successful in landing great NP jobs.

According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American’s make nearly 1 billion visits to NPs annually. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts NP positions will have grown by 35% between 2014 and 2024. This critical role focused on patient health and care is not only important, it’s also a promising field to be in.  

NPs work autonomously, and in collaboration with other health care professionals, providers and specialists. They may work in primary or specialty settings, and have advanced training and education to ensure proper care and health management for patients. 

If you’re considering applying or interviewing for a job as an NP, here is a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers to help set you up for success.  

Registered Nursegive primary, acute and specialty health care services to patients. They are trained and authorized to diagnose illnesses, treat conditions, and provide education to patients to ensure they are living their healthiest life.

Specific tasks may include taking medical histories, performing physical exams, ordering diagnostics tests, developing treatment plans, following up on courses of treatment, and collaborating with other providers to ensure holistic care for the patient.

RNs also keep detailed records and regularly continue their education to stay on top of developments in the field. They may have a specialty, such as geriatric, hospice, gastroenterology, occupational health, urology and more, each requiring specific training and education on illnesses, conditions, and treatments. 

Overall, Registered Nurse see patients when they are sick, admitted into a hospital, have an injury, or have outpatient procedures. They’ll take care of a variety of your needs from admission to discharge, either from a hospital, or from a doctor’s office or other outpatient setting. 

Requirements for an NP role can vary by company, but many require the same basic things like:

• Be a registered nurse (RN)

• Bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN)

• Complete an NP-focused graduate master’s or doctoral nursing program

• Passed a national NP board certification exam

• State NP license to practice medicine

• Experience in a clinical residency or other hospital/outpatient/doctor’s office setting

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Specific requirements may also depend on your specialization, as well as the setting you’ll be working in. For example, an NP working in an in-patient hospital setting may have different responsibilities than one working in a doctor’s office. 

The job description should clearly outline requirements, but if you have questions, ask the hiring manager. 

If you are an experienced Registered Nurse, you may become a legal consultancy nurse, nursing informatics specialist, research nurse, diabetics informatics nurse, school, or campus nurse, and so forth.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the demand for Registered Nurses is expected to grow by more than 7% in the next five years. This statistic means that registered nurses will increase by more than 200,000 before 2026.