5 Easiest Nurse Practitioner Specialties To Get Accepted Into (2024)

Written By: Jennifer Schlette MSN, RN

Nurse practitioner is an extremely versatile field with a good projected job growth outlook. There are so many different options out there that you can choose from when pursuing this advanced practice nursing degree, but let’s face it, not each specialty is created equally. Some specialties will be more challenging than others to get accepted into. Some specialties will overlap and enable you to further specialize in order to meet your career goal. Am I confusing you yet?

I know you are probably sitting there thinking, well, what are the easiest nurse practitioner specialties to get accepted into? Let’s take a look and see. Keep on reading, and I will give you a look at the 5 easiest nurse practitioner specialties to get accepted into, so you can start your advanced nurse practitioner career today.

WHAT ARE THE EASIEST NURSE PRACTITIONER SPECIALTIES TO GET ACCEPTED INTO?

(Following are the 5 easiest nurse practitioner specialties that you can get accepted into.)

1.Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

The Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner or AGPCNP will primarily focus on the adult and geriatric populations in the primary care setting. You will find yourself working in long-term care settings, hospital-based clinics, and private practices in this role. This specialty is more primary care focused, not acute or critical care and is concerned with the adult and aging population. So, I know what you are probably saying to yourself, what makes this a specialty that is easy to get accepted into. Well, you need to look at the fact that it is a general population focused specialty and that it is in primary care. If you chose acute care or critical care, it would be more challenging to get accepted into an accredited program. This is due to the additional knowledge and practice you would have to learn for acute and critical care and that acute and critical care are even more specialized.

RECOMMENDED ONLINE NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS

2.Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

The Pediatric Nurse practitioner is a Nurse Practitioner specialty that focuses on children. These NPs will primarily practice in private practice, ambulatory and school-based clinics, homes, hospitals, and subspecialty clinics. Once again, this is a single population focus specialty with a primary care focus, not acute or critical care, making it one of the easiest nurse practitioner specialties to get accepted into.

3.Family Nurse Practitioner

The family nurse practitioner is a versatile role with many job possibilities. This specialty Nurse practitioner is able to fill the gaps in the healthcare system that are lacking. These gaps are in part to the declining number of physicians as well as the growth rate of physicians declining. It goes back to that old concept of supply and demand. This supply and demand concept increase the acceptance rates for education programs. In this role, you will provide primary care to patients in all health stages.

4.Occupational Health Nurse Practitioners (OHNP)

The OHNP primarily focuses on preventing and treating stress, injuries, or illnesses derived from the work environment. These types of NPs usually care for patients directly working for medical facilities such as hospitals, doctor offices, or employee health clinics. Other roles that they may perform is that they may act as educators, researchers, or consultants. To become an OHNP, you would pursue your FNP degree and then later study and sit for a certification exam for the OHNP. This is one of the easiest nurse practitioner specialties to get accepted into because you are essentially pursuing your FNP, and you can study at your own pace for your OHNP certification. Remember the whole supply and demand concept. FNPs are in demand.

5.Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner

This type of Nurse Practitioner will require that you earn your FNP degree and then go on to train to become an Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner. You would work in a clinic that offers botox and chemical peel treatments, to name a few. In order to accomplish this goal, you can train on the job and also take courses that will increase your knowledge base about the career. Your independence in this field will depend on the level of practice authority of the state you choose to practice in.

The Bottomline

So, what are the easiest nurse practitioner specialties to get accepted into? Well, I hope that this information I gave you, you find helpful. In a nutshell, there are many different nurse practitioner specialties out there that you can choose from. Sure, some will be more difficult than others, and sure, some will have higher acceptance rates than others. Those careers that are more general and in primary care seem to accept more students than those that are focusing more on acute and critical care. Supply and demand also play a role in the acceptance rates for programs. If a particular specialty is in need, then more students will be accepted. Nurse practitioner programs will not put a student through school just to have difficulty finding a job after completing the program, which looks bad for business. The 5 easiest nurse practitioner specialties to get accepted into that I have discussed in this article will enable you to broaden and accelerate your career to another level.

5 Easiest Nurse Practitioner Specialties To Get Accepted Into (1) Jennifer Schlette MSN, RN
Jennifer Schlette is a registered nurse in pediatric critical care in New York City. She is the former Director of Undergraduate Nursing at a college located in New York. After obtaining her BSN from the College of Mount Saint Vincent, she went on to complete her MSN.

As someone deeply immersed in the field of healthcare and nursing, with a comprehensive understanding of nurse practitioner specialties, I can provide valuable insights into the content presented by Jennifer Schlette in the article on the easiest nurse practitioner specialties to get accepted into.

Firstly, it's essential to acknowledge the author's credentials. Jennifer Schlette holds an MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) and is an RN (Registered Nurse) with experience in pediatric critical care in New York City. Her expertise is further demonstrated by her role as the former Director of Undergraduate Nursing at a college in New York. This background showcases her firsthand experience in nursing practice and education, establishing her as a credible source in the field.

Now, let's delve into the key concepts presented in the article:

  1. Nurse Practitioner Specialties:

    • The article discusses various nurse practitioner specialties, each catering to specific patient populations and healthcare settings.
  2. Versatility of the Nurse Practitioner Field:

    • Nurse practitioners are highlighted as versatile professionals with a broad range of job possibilities within the healthcare system.
  3. Job Growth Outlook:

    • The introduction emphasizes the positive job growth outlook for the nurse practitioner field, indicating it as a favorable career path.
  4. Specialties' Acceptance Rates:

    • The article categorizes nurse practitioner specialties based on their perceived ease of acceptance into accredited programs. The criteria for ease include the focus on primary care, the general population, and the supply and demand dynamics in healthcare.
  5. Highlighted Nurse Practitioner Specialties:

    • The author specifically identifies and discusses the following five nurse practitioner specialties as the easiest to get accepted into:
      • Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
      • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
      • Family Nurse Practitioner
      • Occupational Health Nurse Practitioners (OHNP)
      • Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner
  6. Supply and Demand Dynamics:

    • The article emphasizes the concept of supply and demand in healthcare, suggesting that specialties with higher demand tend to have higher acceptance rates for education programs.
  7. Education and Certification Pathways:

    • For some specialties like Occupational Health Nurse Practitioners (OHNP) and Aesthetic Nurse Practitioners, the article briefly outlines the educational path, including pursuing the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) degree and additional certifications.
  8. Career Opportunities and Independence:

    • The article touches upon the various settings where nurse practitioners can practice within their chosen specialties, such as private practice, clinics, hospitals, and schools. It also notes the level of independence a practitioner may have, which is influenced by the state's practice authority.

In conclusion, Jennifer Schlette's article provides a comprehensive overview of nurse practitioner specialties, their acceptance rates, and the factors influencing these rates. Her insights are valuable for individuals considering a career in advanced nursing practice, offering a practical guide to choosing a specialty that aligns with career goals and educational aspirations.

5 Easiest Nurse Practitioner Specialties To Get Accepted Into (2024)

FAQs

5 Easiest Nurse Practitioner Specialties To Get Accepted Into? ›

Adult acute care nurse practitioner is the hardest nurse practitioner specialty, according to Nursing Process.

Which nurse practitioner specialty is most in demand? ›

Here are the most in-demand specialties, in no particular order:
  • Pulmonology nurse practitioner.
  • Pediatric acute care nurse practitioner.
  • House call nurse practitioner.
  • Cardiology nurse practitioner.
  • Aesthetic nurse practitioner.
  • Pain management nurse practitioner.
  • Emergency department/urgent care nurse practitioner.
Aug 21, 2023

Which NP specialty is the hardest? ›

Adult acute care nurse practitioner is the hardest nurse practitioner specialty, according to Nursing Process.

What is the fastest track to become a nurse practitioner? ›

The quickest way to becoming an NP involves earning a two-year ADN, obtaining an RN license, working for 1-2 years, and entering a two- to three-year RN-to-MSN bridge program. Students seeking to fast track their NP schooling should expect to study full time for 4-5 years.

Is it easy to switch specialties as an NP? ›

NPs can switch specialties at any point in their career; depending on the context of the shift, doing so may entail additional training, as well as a new certification exam.

Which NP gets paid the most? ›

10 Highest Paid Nurse Practitioner Specialties in 2024
  • Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner. ...
  • Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. ...
  • Emergency Nurse Practitioner. ...
  • Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner. ...
  • Oncology Nurse Practitioner. ...
  • Family Nurse Practitioner. ...
  • Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. ...
  • Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.

Which NP is most flexible? ›

Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) provide care for all ages — from infants to the elderly. They have flexible work settings and can be found in hospitals, primary care and specialty clinics and long-term care facilities.

What is the easiest NP to get? ›

What Are The Easiest Nurse Practitioner Programs to Get Into?
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) ...
  • Emergency Room Nurse Practitioner. ...
  • Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) ...
  • Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) ...
  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Mar 18, 2024

Who are the happiest nurse practitioners? ›

Aesthetic nurse practitioners are one of the happiest nurse practitioner specialties because the overall stress from their job is low compared to other NP specialties.

What is the least stressful nurse specialty? ›

Least Stressful Nursing Careers
  • Public Health Nurse. ...
  • Nurse Researcher. ...
  • Nurse Informaticist. ...
  • Case Management Nurse. ...
  • Home Health Nurse. ...
  • Clinic Nurse. ...
  • Occupational Health Nurse. ...
  • Final thoughts. If your job as a registered nurse is getting too stressful and overwhelming, it may be time for a change.
May 20, 2021

Is being an NP harder than RN? ›

Is NP harder than RN? NPs have additional responsibilities that RNs don't have, so you can expect NP school to be a higher level of difficulty than RN school. But, don't let that scare you off!

How long is NP after MSN? ›

A post-master's graduate certificate program for NPs is a non-degree program that provides MSN-trained nurses with only the coursework and clinical training necessary to qualify for certification and licensure in an NP specialization. These programs can typically be completed in roughly one to two years.

What is the next level after a nurse practitioner? ›

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): For NPs who have only earned their MSN, earning a DNP can be an excellent means of stepping into more senior-level roles. Many colleges, like Regis, offer a post MSN-to-DNP degree program that can help you do this in an efficient manner.

How do I transition from FNP to ACNP? ›

You can prepare to make the transition from FNP to acute care NP by enrolling a post master's, or postgraduate, certificate program designed for nurses who have already earned a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

Will nurse practitioners become oversaturated? ›

Many job markets across the U.S. are saturated for nurse practitioners. Many are not. Regardless of the situation in your area, if you're a new grad you may need to be determined and flexible as you look for that coveted first position.

How many patients does an NP see in a day? ›

Urgent Care Nurse Practitioners

The NP may treat four or more patients per hour throughout the entire work day. In most urgent care clinics, the expectation is that the nurse practitioner be able to handle a patient volume of about four patients per hour similarly to the primary care setting.

What is the best NP to become? ›

Becoming a family nurse practitioner could be the perfect fit for you, as it gives you the ability to truly care for patients from infancy to older adulthood. Versus pediatrics, will allow you to provide care primarily on pediatric patients 18 years or younger.

Where is the greatest need for nurse practitioners? ›

The States With the Most Opportunities for Nurse Practitioners
StateOpportunity IndexProjected NP Job Openings Per Year
Florida0.861910
California0.852,120
New York0.822,060
Georgia0.601,250
6 more rows
Nov 6, 2023

What is the most versatile nurse practitioner? ›

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): These NPs treat patients across the lifespan of family medicine and can work in a wide variety of settings. You can choose to focus on neonatal, pediatrics, family practice, surgical/OR and much more.

What is the most needed nurse specialty? ›

5 In-Demand Nursing Specialties
  • Critical Care Nursing. Critical care nurses work in intensive care units (ICUs) and other high-acuity settings, caring for patients who are severely ill or in critical condition. ...
  • Psychiatric Nursing. ...
  • Pediatric Nursing. ...
  • Oncology Nursing. ...
  • Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Anesthetists.
Sep 13, 2023

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Sen. Ignacio Ratke

Last Updated:

Views: 5809

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Sen. Ignacio Ratke

Birthday: 1999-05-27

Address: Apt. 171 8116 Bailey Via, Roberthaven, GA 58289

Phone: +2585395768220

Job: Lead Liaison

Hobby: Lockpicking, LARPing, Lego building, Lapidary, Macrame, Book restoration, Bodybuilding

Introduction: My name is Sen. Ignacio Ratke, I am a adventurous, zealous, outstanding, agreeable, precious, excited, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.