Occupation Summary

Nurse Practitioners

O*NET 29-1171.00

Description:

Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

Annual Wages:
$124,657.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 66.07%.
Education Level:
Master's Degree. According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Public Service, Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM)

  1. Educate patients about self-management of acute or chronic illnesses, tailoring instructions to patients' individual circumstances.
  2. Schedule follow-up visits to monitor patients or evaluate health or illness care.
  3. Counsel patients about drug regimens and possible side effects or interactions with other substances, such as food supplements, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, or herbal remedies.
  4. Order, perform, or interpret the results of diagnostic tests, such as complete blood counts (CBCs), electrocardiograms (EKGs), and radiographs (x-rays).
  5. Analyze and interpret patients' histories, symptoms, physical findings, or diagnostic information to develop appropriate diagnoses.
  6. Diagnose or treat acute health care problems, such as illnesses, infections, or injuries.
  7. Diagnose or treat chronic health care problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
  8. Diagnose or treat complex, unstable, comorbid, episodic, or emergency conditions in collaboration with other health care providers as necessary.
  9. Treat or refer patients for primary care conditions, such as headaches, hypertension, urinary tract infections, upper respiratory infections, and dermatological conditions.
  10. Consult with, or refer patients to, appropriate specialists when conditions exceed the scope of practice or expertise.
  11. Detect and respond to adverse drug reactions, with special attention to vulnerable populations such as infants, children, pregnant and lactating women, or older adults.
  12. Develop treatment plans, based on scientific rationale, standards of care, and professional practice guidelines.
  13. Perform primary care procedures such as suturing, splinting, administering immunizations, taking cultures, and debriding wounds.
  14. Perform routine or annual physical examinations.
  15. Prescribe medications based on efficacy, safety, and cost as legally authorized.
  16. Provide patients with information needed to promote health, reduce risk factors, or prevent disease or disability.
  17. Recommend diagnostic or therapeutic interventions with attention to safety, cost, invasiveness, simplicity, acceptability, adherence, and efficacy.
  18. Recommend interventions to modify behavior associated with health risks.
  19. Prescribe medication dosages, routes, and frequencies, based on such patient characteristics as age and gender.
  20. Advocate for accessible health care that minimizes environmental health risks.
  21. Provide patients or caregivers with assistance in locating health care resources.
  22. Maintain complete and detailed records of patients' health care plans and prognoses.
  23. Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in nursing.
  24. Keep abreast of regulatory processes and payer systems, such as Medicare, Medicaid, managed care, and private sources.
  25. Maintain current knowledge of state legal regulations for nurse practitioner practice, including reimbursement of services.
  26. Maintain departmental policies and procedures in areas such as safety and infection control.
  27. Supervise or coordinate patient care or support staff activities.


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Nurse Practitioners employed Annual Growth Rate
Offices of physicians 46.4 5.17
General medical and surgical hospitals 22.9 3.44
Outpatient care centers 8.7 6.66
Colleges, universities, and professional schools 4 0.99
Offices of other health practitioners 2.8 4.79
Home health care services 2.6 1.90


Labor Market Information


2022 Statewide average hourly wage $59.93
2022 National average hourly wage $59.94
2020 National employment 220,300
2020 Texas employment 14,815
Texas projected employment by 2030 24,604
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2030 2,008




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
96.60%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
85.20%
Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
84.40%
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
83.40%
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
82.60%
Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
80.00%
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
75.20%
Sociology and Anthropology
Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
72.80%
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
72.20%
Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
63.60%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
82.40%
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
82.40%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
82.40%
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
82.40%
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
80.00%
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
80.00%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
80.00%
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
80.00%
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
80.00%
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
80.00%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
85.00%
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
85.00%
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
85.00%
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
82.40%
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
82.40%
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
82.40%
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
82.40%
Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
80.00%
Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
80.00%
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
80.00%


  • Documenting/Recording Information
    -- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    -- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Assisting and Caring for Others
    -- Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    -- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Other Activities


  • Relationships
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
  • Support
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.



Tools

Anesthesia nerve block kit or tray: Epidural catheters;

Apnea monitors: Apnea monitors;

Arm orthopedic softgoods: Upper extremity braces;

Arterial blood gas monitors: Arterial blood gas monitoring equipment;

Arterial line catheters: Arterial line catheters;

Back or lumbar or sacral orthopedic softgoods: Back braces;

Binocular light compound microscopes: Binocular light compound microscopes;

Blood collection syringes: Blood drawing syringes;

Cardiac output CO monitoring units: Hemodynamic monitors; Cardiac monitors;

Cardiac pacemaker generators or cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers CRT-P: Transcutaneous pacemakers; Pacemaker analyzers;

Central venous catheters: Multiple lumen central line catheters;

Cervical collars or neck braces: Neck braces;

Chemistry analyzers: Hemoglobin analyzers;

Chest tubes: Chest tubes;

Crutches: Crutches;

Diagnostic or interventional vascular catheters for general use: Angiocaths; Pulmonary artery catheters;

Electrocardiography EKG units: Electrocardiography EKG machines; Portable electrocardiography EKG machines;

Electronic blood pressure units: Electronic blood pressure monitors; Pediatric blood pressure cuffs;

Electronic medical thermometers: Digital medical thermometers;

Electrosurgical or electrocautery equipment: Electrosurgical cauterization machines;

Emergency or resuscitation carts: Crash carts;

Endoscopic instrument sets: Fiberoptic endoscopes;

Endotracheal or tracheotomy sets: Tracheotomy sets;

Endotracheal tubes: Endotracheal ET tubes;

Eye charts or vision cards: Visual acuity testing cards; Snellen eye charts;

Flow sensors or regulators or components: Oxygen flowmeters;

Glucose monitors or meters: Glucometers;

Goggles: Safety goggles;

Head or neck traction supplies: Halo traction equipment;

Holter or wearable EKG monitoring systems or accessories: Holter monitors;

Intermittent positive pressure breathing IPPB machines: Mechanical intermittent positive pressure ventilators;

Intraaortic balloon pumps: Intra-aortic balloon pumps IABP;

Intracranial pressure ICP monitoring units: Intracranial pressure monitors;

Intravenous infusion pumps for general use: Intravenous IV infusion pumps;

Intravenous or arterial catheter trays: Intravenous IV administration sets; Intravenous IV cutdown trays;

Intubation laryngoscopes: Fiberoptic laryngoscopes;

Intubator components: Intubation sets;

Lancets: Lancets;

Leg orthopedic softgoods: Lower extremity braces;

Medical acoustic stethoscopes: Mechanical stethoscopes;

Medical exam or non surgical procedure gloves: Medical examination protective gloves;

Medical nasal oxygen catheters or catheterization kits: Nasal catheters;

Medical or surgical suction or vacuum appliances: Nasal suctioning equipment; Oral suctioning equipment; Tracheal suctioning equipment;

Medical oxygen masks or parts: Oxygen delivery masks;

Medical staff isolation or cover gowns: Protective gowns;

Medical staplers for external use: Skin staplers;

Medical syringes with needle: Hypodermic syringes;

Medical tuning forks: Diagnostic tuning forks;

Medical ultrasound or doppler or echocardiograph transducer accessories: Doppler ultrasound equipment;

Microcentrifuges: Microhematocrit centrifuges;

Mobile medical services automated external defibrillators AED or hard paddles: Automated external defibrillators AED;

Mobile medical services head immobilizers: Head immobilization devices;

Mobile medical services spine boards: Spinal immobilization equipment;

Mobile resuscitator or aspirator kits: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR face shields;

Nasogastric tubes: Nasogastric tubes;

Nebulizers: Handheld nebulizers;

Non invasive bi level machines: Bilevel positive airway pressure BiPAP ventilators;

Notebook computers: Laptop computers;

Ophthalmoscopes or otoscopes or scope sets: Ophthalmoscopes; Otoscopes;

Orthopedic splint systems: Orthopedic splinting equipment;

Oxygen concentrators: Oxygen concentrators;

Patient floor scales: Medical scales;

Peak flowmeters: Peak flowmeters;

Pericardiocentesis needles or kits: Pericardiocentesis kits;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers: Personal digital assistants PDA;

Pulse oximeter units: Pulse oximeters;

Reflex hammers or mallets: Reflex hammers;

Sigmoidoscopes: Flexible sigmoidoscopes;

Skin staple removers or kits: Surgical staple removers;

Special purpose telephones: Multi-line telephone systems;

Specimen collection container: Specimen collection containers;

Spirometers: Incentive spirometers;

Surgical clamps or clips or forceps: Mosquito hemostats;

Surgical isolation or surgical masks: Protective face shields;

Surgical lasers: Argon lasers; Carbon dioxide CO2 lasers; Pulsed dye lasers;

Surgical pneumatic or electric tourniquets: Pneumatic tourniquets;

Surgical punches or punch holders: Biopsy punches;

Surgical scalpels or knives or blades or trephines: Surgical scalpels;

Surgical scissors: Straight surgical scissors;

Suturing kits or trays or packs or sets: Suturing kits;

Tablet computers: Tablet computers;

Thoracentesis sets or trays: Thoracentesis kits;

Tissue culture incubators: Tissue culture incubators;

Tourniquets: Tourniquets;

Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation units: Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation TENS equipment;

Tympanometers: Tympanometers;

Umbilical catheters: Umbilical catheters;

Urinalysis test strips: Urinalysis test strips;

Urinary catheterization kits: Urinary catheters;

Vacuum blood collection tubes or containers: Evacuated blood collection tubes;

Vaginal exam speculas: Vaginal exam speculas;

Ventricular assist devices: Ventricular assist devices VAD;

Walking braces: Walking braces;


Technology

Cloud-based data access and sharing software: Microsoft SharePoint;

Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access;

Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook;

Internet browser software: Microsoft Internet Explorer; Web browser software;

Medical software: e-MDs software; eClinicalWorks EHR software; NextGen Healthcare Information Systems EMR; PCC Pediatric Partner; Patient management software; SOAPware EMR; StatCom Patient Flow Logistics Enterprise Suite; SynaMed EMR; Texas Medical Software SpringCharts EMR; Allscripts Professional EHR; Amkai AmkaiCharts; Bizmatics PrognoCIS EMR; Cerner Millennium; Epic Systems; GE Healthcare Centricity EMR; Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS; MEDITECH software; Medical condition coding software; Medical procedure coding software; Medscribbler Enterprise; MicroFour PracticeStudio.NET EMR;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel;

Word processing software: Microsoft Word;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Nurse Practitioners include:
  • 29-1141.01 Acute Care Nurses
  • 29-1141.02 Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
  • 29-1141.04 Clinical Nurse Specialists
  • 29-1141.03 Critical Care Nurses
  • 29-1214.00 Emergency Medicine Physicians
  • 29-1215.00 Family Medicine Physicians
  • 29-1216.00 General Internal Medicine Physicians
  • 29-1161.00 Nurse Midwives
  • 29-1071.00 Physician Assistants
  • 29-1141.00 Registered Nurses


Sources of Additional Information
  • For more information about nurse anesthetists, including a list of accredited programs, visit: American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
  • For more information about nurse midwives, including a list of accredited programs, visit: American College of Nurse-Midwives
  • For more information about nurse practitioners, including a list of accredited programs, visit: American Association of Nurse Practitioners
  • For more information about registered nurses, including credentialing, visit: American Nurses Association
  • For more information about nursing education and being a registered nurse, visit: National League for Nursing
  • For more information about undergraduate and graduate nursing education, nursing career options, and financial aid, visit: American Association of Colleges of Nursing
  • For more information about states’ Boards of Nursing, visit: National Council of State Boards of Nursing
  • For more information about certification, visit: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board
  • American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
  • American Midwifery Certification Board
  • American Nurses Credentialing Center
  • National Certification Corporation
  • National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists
  • Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
  • For career videos on nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners, visit: Nurse Anesthetists
  • Nurse Midwives
  • Nurse Practitioners
  • Nurse Anesthetists
  • Nurse Midwives
  • Nurse Practitioners

  • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.