Nurse Practitioners

A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse (RN) who has completed advanced education (a minimum of a master's degree) and training in the diagnosis and management of common medical conditions, including chronic illnesses. Nurse practitioners provide a broad range of health care services. They provide some of the same care provided by physicians and maintain close working relationships with physicians. An NP can serve as a patient's regular health care provider.

Nurse practitioners focus on patients' conditions as well as the effects of illness on the lives of the patients and their families. NPs make prevention, wellness, and patient education priorities. This can mean fewer prescriptions and less expensive treatments. Informing patients about their health care and encouraging them to participate in decisions are central to the care provided by NPs. In addition to health care services, NPs conduct research and are often active in patient advocacy activities.

Nurse practitioners provide high-quality, cost-effective individualized care that is comparable to the health care provided by physicians.

A nurse practitioner's duties include the following:

* Collaborating with physicians and other health professionals as needed, including providing referrals
* Counseling and educating patients on health behaviors, self-care skills, and treatment options
* Diagnosing and treating acute illnesses, infections, and injuries
* Diagnosing, treating, and monitoring chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure)
* Obtaining medical histories and conducting physical examinations
* Ordering, performing, and interpreting diagnostic studies (e.g., lab tests, x-rays, EKGs)
* Prescribing medications

Nurse practitioners provide high-quality, cost-effective individualized care that is comparable to the health care provided by physicians.

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