How Nurse Practitioner Students Can Get SET for Success
Learn about valuable resources available to students from their national association.
With the nurse practitioner (NP) role recognized in three of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Jobs” rankings — listing the NP profession as the number one career in the 100 Best Jobs, Best Health Care Jobs and Best STEM Jobs lists, many nurses are increasingly interested in pursuing this rewarding career. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) is committed to supporting the success of NP students and future health care leaders. Read on to learn about a number of resources available to members anywhere, anytime to prepare future and new NPs for education and successful practice — from video presentations to student-centric continuing education (CE), discounts on certification and more.
Fostering Joy in Education
AANP has various resources and opportunities to help prospective NPs as they advance through rigorous academic programs on the path to clinical practice — including the AANP Student Education and Training (SET) platform. Provided by experts in the field, AANP SET is designed exclusively for NP students making a role transition from RN to NP. Through the AANP SET learning center, AANP NP Student members can find a wealth of knowledge related to clinical practice, professional development and diversity, equity and inclusion — all in support of becoming a successful early career professional.
Beyond educational offerings, NP students can also look to their national association for professional funding support through AANP scholarships. “As a family nurse practitioner (FNP) student, I am personally grateful for the gift of this scholarship from AANP — an organization I am proud to be a member of. Thank you for assisting me during a time of financial need,” stated 2023 AANP Scholarship awardee, Heather Armstrong, MSN, BCEN, APRN, FNP-C. Since the establishment of the program ten years ago, AANP has awarded $1 million dollars in grants and scholarships funds to support the talented NPs and health care leaders of tomorrow. Available to members who are currently enrolled in an accredited graduate school in pursuit of an advanced degree, applications for AANP scholarships open in February.
Hitting the Ground Running
However, the road to becoming an NP does not just end upon graduation — and neither does AANP’s support. AANP has developed resources to support NPs all throughout their career. By attending AANP conferences (in person or virtually on demand), taking advantage of CE opportunities (including certificate programs) and utilizing the AANP resources pages, new graduates can ensure they’re entering practice with the tools they need to succeed.
Your professional organization is with you every step of the way with various and growing resources like the AANP Gear Up for Success as a Nurse Practitioner guide, which provides tips to assist prospective NPs as they enter clinical practice. Additionally, NPs who have recently completed their education can find guidance and employment assistance through AANP’s “Staring Your NP Career” page, which features the AANP Job Center, videos on the transition to clinical practice, information on state practice information, malpractice insurance and other topics relevant to new NPs.
Growing With Your Organization
“I am a huge proponent of AANP,” states Elena Prendergast, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, ACHPN. “Part of the reason is that I've been coming to these conferences since I was a student, so I have literally grown up in AANP. It has provided me opportunities from my first job to networking and continuing education (CE).” Pendergast, like many AANP members, credits AANP membership and conferences with highlighting new opportunities and supporting career-long professional development. “Conference actually introduced me to academia. It introduced me to public speaking, sitting on committees and learning how to be an advocate for my own career.”
As students embark on their transformative NP journey, AANP is there to assist. No matter whether they’re students or seasoned NPs, all AANP members have access to 12 free CE courses annually through the AANP Course of the Month program, alongside free access to webinars and podcasts that offer CE credit. As newly-graduated NPs develop interests in different specialties, the AANP Communities offer a platform to discuss, share documents, collaborate and network with like-minded NPs in your area of interest. Regardless of specialty, location or years in practice, AANP works tirelessly to deliver the knowledge, tools and community that providers need to succeed.
Get Set for Success With AANP
Find the resources you need to help you become a future health care leader! Join AANP as a Student member — for the exceptionally low rate of $55 — to gain assistance with finding an NP program; achieving certification; applying for grants and scholarships; and to access other resources for lifelong learning.