Nurse Practitioners
Nurse practitioners diagnose and treat acute, chronic, or episodic illnesses, often working independently or within healthcare teams. They order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and focus on health promotion and disease prevention. They work in hospitals, clinics, private practices, and other healthcare settings.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against nurse practitioners and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A nurse practitioner's week involves patient appointments where they take medical histories, perform physical exams, and develop treatment plans. They review lab results and imaging studies, prescribe medications, and counsel patients on managing their conditions. Administrative tasks include documenting patient encounters and coordinating care with other providers. Some time is spent staying current with clinical guidelines and evidence-based practices.
Who this work suits
Holland code ISC. Investigative work is figuring things out: analysis, research, problem-solving. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You tend to do well in this role if you enjoy investigating health problems and working directly with people through healthcare. You're drawn to understanding complex medical situations and helping others improve their wellbeing, combining analytical thinking with interpersonal connection.
What it takes
Preparation: Extensive preparation (graduate degree and/or many years of experience). Most people in this occupation hold a master’s degree.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- Prescribing Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - 1099 Contractor - Manchester, PA · Lyra Health · Manchester, PA
- COL-2026-059 | Advanced Practice Clinician – Family Nurse Practitioner (NP) / Physician Assistant (PA) · Colwyn Group · Sacramento, Sacramento County · $277,164–$277,164
- Advance Practice Professional (NP/PA) - Hilborn Occ Health · Northbay Healthcare · Suisun, Solano County · $183,913–$235,352
- Advanced Practice Nurse (NP) - Vascular Surgery · Veterans Health Administration · San Antonio, Texas · $143664–$242656
- Advanced Practice Nurse- Nurse Practitioner-MoveTime Clinic · Veterans Health Administration · Palo Alto, California · $189549–$253100
- Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) · Military Treatment Facilities under DHA · Bethesda, Maryland · $126527–$158771
- Nurse Practitioner - Mental Health · Veterans Health Administration · Wichita Falls, Texas · $129946–$188379
- ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE (NURSE PRACTITIONER) · Military Treatment Facilities under DHA · Camp Pendleton, California · $177442–$222642
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $145,980 | $168,520 | $209,350 | 25,120 |
| New Jersey | $136,740 | $159,310 | $170,530 | 9,950 |
| Washington | $129,670 | $156,100 | $169,500 | 6,700 |
| Oregon | $134,840 | $155,680 | $168,700 | 2,820 |
| Alaska | $126,080 | $155,170 | $172,000 | 710 |
| New York | $132,490 | $153,510 | $170,290 | 22,890 |
| Massachusetts | $132,460 | $142,440 | $168,100 | 8,070 |
| Nevada | $110,160 | $140,670 | $161,760 | 1,930 |
| Connecticut | $124,870 | $138,470 | $160,700 | 3,750 |
| New Hampshire | $125,030 | $137,550 | $155,620 | 1,770 |
| New Mexico | $124,740 | $137,520 | $160,950 | 1,770 |
| Montana | $123,260 | $137,210 | $151,860 | 1,260 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Certified Nephrology Nurse - Nurse Practitioner (CNN-NP) — Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Adult-Gerentology) (ACNPC-AG) — American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
- Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner (DCNP) — Dermatology Nurses' Association
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) — ANA Enterprise
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PPCNP-BC) — ANA Enterprise
- Womens Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHNP-BC) — The National Certification Corporation
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against nurse practitioners and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 29-1171.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.