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Careers in Advanced Practice

Career Overview:

• Audiologist - works with patients who have hearing, balance, and related ear problems.
• Chiropractor - treats patients with health problems of the musculoskeletal system, and treats the effects of those problems on the nervous system and on general health.
• Psychologist - helps mentally and emotionally distressed clients adjust to life and may assist medical and surgical patients in dealing with illnesses or injuries.
• Physician Assistant - practices medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. Physician assistants perform a range of medical duties. They do basic care, such as interview patients, perform physical exams, order lab tests, and prescribe medicines. They also do more complex tasks, such as setting simple fractures. They are trained to deal with many medical emergencies.
• Nurse Practitioner - serves as primary and specialty care providers, providing a blend of nursing and health care services to patients and families. Nurse Practitioners practice in acute care, ambulatory care and long term care settings. They diagnosis and manage acute and chronic illnesses and promote healthy lifestyles and disease prevention.

Earnings & Employment Outlook:

• Salaries for Audiologist vary. For more detailed information go to US Department of Labor Statistics
• Salaries for Chiropractors vary. For more detailed information go to US Department of Labor Statistics
• Salaries for Psychologists vary. Full-time, entry level salary for a Psychologist is approximately $61,000/year.
• Salaries for Physician Assistants vary. For more detailed information go to US Department of Labor Statistics
• Salaries for Nurse Practitioners vary. Full-time, entry level salary for a Nurse Practitioner is approximately $85,000/year.

Education:

For more information go to How to choose a Healthcare Program.

• Audiologist - requires a Masters Degree with a Doctorate Degree preferred or be certified by the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
• Chiropractors - requires two to four years of undergraduate education, completion of a four-year chiropractic college course, completion of Parts I – IV of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners examinations, and pass the MN jurisprudence exam.
• Psychologists - requires a PhD or PsyD, national licensure, and state licensure.
• Physician Assistants - requires an accredited, formal education program and license.
• Nurse Practitioners - requires RN license, Master’s Degree in Nursing, and NP certification.
*Note: These requirements may vary depending on location and desired qualifications.

Programs offered in Minnesota/Wisconsin:

Audiologist programs are offered:

Minnesota:

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Wisconsin:

University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Chiropractor programs are offered:

Minnesota:

Northwestern College of Chiropractic

Psychologist programs are offered:

Minnesota:

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, University of St Thomas

Wisconsin:

University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Physician Assistant programs are offered:

Minnesota:

Augsburg College

Wisconsin:

Marquette University, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Nurse Practitioner programs are offered:

Minnesota:

The College of St Catherine, College of St .Scholastica, Metropolitan State University, Minnesota State University-Mankato, University of Minnesota- Twin Cities, Winona State University

Wisconsin:

Concordia University, Marquette University, Marian University, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Viterbo University