A hospitalist nurse practitioner is a nurse practitioner who focuses on inpatient care in a hospital setting. A master’s degree in nursing is usually required to work as a hospitalist nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioner certification is frequently required in order to practice medicine in that capacity.
Hospitalist teams are now being used more frequently in hospitals. Physicians, specialists, and other healthcare professionals make up hospitalist teams. Patients who do not have a primary care physician or whose primary care physician is unable to come to the hospital to manage their care are usually treated by these teams.
A nurse practitioner is a type of advanced care provider who works in a similar capacity to a primary care physician. Nurse practitioners, unlike general registered nurses, are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of illnesses and conditions. They can also prescribe medications and treatments, as well as order diagnostic tests, recommend hospital admissions, and coordinate patient discharges. Nurse practitioners are becoming more in demand as members of hospitalist teams. In their role as hospitalists, they collaborate with other doctors to provide high-quality inpatient care.
If you want to work as a hospitalist nurse practitioner, you’ll usually start by enrolling in a nursing program at a community college. To become a registered nurse, you must usually pass a licensing examination after completing an approved nursing program (RN). The majority of licensing exams are given at the regional level. You may also have to meet local eligibility requirements to become a hospitalist nurse practitioner, which may include an exam and a review of your education and credentials.
Future hospitalist nurse practitioners typically pursue advanced education at the master’s or doctoral levels after completing their undergraduate studies. Before enrolling in a graduate program, most schools require that you be a registered nurse. To work as a hospitalist nurse practitioner, you’ll typically need at least a master’s degree. Hospitals frequently seek hospitalist candidates who have earned a doctorate in nursing.
Acute care nurse practitioner certification is usually required to work as a hospitalist nurse practitioner. You will demonstrate that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to work in a hospital setting by passing the certification exam. The acute care certification also demonstrates to employers and patients that you adhere to a higher level of care.