A nurse practitioner plays a vital role in the medical field. Performing many of the same duties as a doctor, nurse practitioners have the ability to diagnose and treat illness and injury, prescribe medication and may assist or even perform minor surgery. As a result, he or she must be highly educated and willing to keep up to date with changes in the medical field. Nurse practitioners work in all different sorts of medical settings. They may perform services in a traditional hospital or doctor's office or work with patients in a home healthcare setting. They could practice in a nursing home or at a teaching university. Employment opportunities are limited only by the need for medical care. Some nurse practitioners are even retained by high-profile professionals, companies or celebrities as on-call providers. In order to be licensed, a nurse practitioner must first complete the course requirements to be a registered nurse. After RN training, they must then enter a graduate program to obtain a Doctorate or Master's degree. They will also need to pass the national board certification exam. Becoming a nurse practitioner is a time-consuming process, and the successful candidate must be willing to work their way up the ladder toward their ultimate goal. A nurse practitioner can expect to make about $63,000 a year to start. This figure can vary depending on which setting in which they choose to work. Home healthcare nurses seem to make a bit less, while nurse practitioners retained for private staff can make significantly more. From time to time, the nation goes through a nursing shortage, and during these shortages, nurses are often given hiring bonuses in order to draw them to the areas most in need. The career in and of itself is very challenging. Successful practitioners will need to make tough decisions regarding their career path. Often, people in this field must be flexible, as relocation may be required for the job. Many choose to continue with the necessary education required to become a full-fledged doctor. With dedication, a will to succeed and a strong desire to help those in need, a nurse practitioner can go far in the industry.