Two types of positions are available in healthcare: direct patient caregivers and those that manage healthcare systems and administration. For my career, I aim to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP), a role centered on diagnosing, treating, and caring for children. On the other hand, a Healthcare Administrator works behind the scenes, managing healthcare facilities and making sure everything runs smoothly. While these jobs seem different, they share common goals in patient care, safety, and quality improvement.
A PNP is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who specializes in pediatric care (Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) at a Glance, 2017). To get there, you need to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), become a licensed Registered Nurse (RN), and gain experience in pediatrics. Then, you have to complete a Master’s or Doctorate in Nursing (MSN or DNP), then complete a nurse practitioners program with a pediatric focus and pass certification exams(Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) at a Glance, 2017). PNPs work in hospitals, clinics, and private practices, diagnosing illnesses, prescribing medication, and educating families on managing their children’s health (Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) at a Glance, 2017). Regarding workplace safety and quality care, PNPs play a huge role in preventing medication errors, reducing infection risks, and ensuring patients receive evidence-based treatment (Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) at a Glance, 2017). They also educate families, which helps with long-term health outcomes.
A Healthcare Administrator, on the other hand, doesn’t provide direct patient care but focuses on managing the business side of healthcare. To get into this field, you typically earn a Bachelor’s degree and then gain experience in healthcare operations (Medical and Health Services Managers, 2024). Healthcare Administrators oversee budgets, staffing, regulatory compliance, and risk management. Their job is to create policies that improve patient care while ensuring that facilities run efficiently (Medical and Health Services Managers, 2024). They play a big role in making sure healthcare organizations follow safety regulations and provide high-quality care.
Even though these careers are different, they overlap in important ways. Both focus on patient safety and improving healthcare quality from different angles. One thing Healthcare Administrators can learn from PNPs is how clinical decisions impact patient care on a daily basis. Conversely, PNPs can benefit from strong leadership and management skills that administrators use to improve workflows and advocate for better resources.
Both careers are essential to healthcare, one hands-on and the other behind the scenes, and each brings a unique perspective to improving patient outcomes. While I’m focused on becoming a PNP, understanding the administrative side of healthcare can only help create a better system for both patients and providers.
References:
Medical and Health Services Managers. (2024, August 29). Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) at a Glance. (2017). Johnson & Johnson Nursing. https://nursing.jnj.com/specialty/pediatric-nurse
