What is a nurse practitioner?
These days the doctor is just one specialist among many who may provide you with health care or treatment when you go to the hospital or visit the doctor. Nurse practitioners are stepping into the role of primary caretaker for many patients. Here's what you need to know about these unique health experts plus how they can help you achieve the highest level of care.
What is a nurse practitioner?
Often nurse practitioners are able to deliver the same standard of care as doctors. A study published in Nursing Economics shows that nurse practitioners tend to perform comparably to physicians on health outcomes and excel at communicating with patients in need of urgent care.
How is a nurse practitioner different from a doctor?
Nurse practitioners have masters or doctorate degrees in nursing while doctors have medical doctorates. Often the two will work together to provide patients with more comprehensive levels of care.
As the American Association of Nurse Practitioners notes many states including Indiana require NPs to collaborate with doctors on patient care. Working under the guidance of a physician a nurse practitioner can provide services like the following:
- Ordering performing and interpreting diagnostic tests like X-rays or lab work
- Diagnosing and treating health conditions
- Prescribing medications or treatments
- Helping patients make better health care and lifestyle decisions
What is a nurse practitioner going to do at my appointment?
Many nurse practitioners have been treating patients in hospital and clinic settings for years. But now more NPs are also working in doctor's offices. Which means that a nurse practitioner may be just as likely to treat your broken bone as conduct your annual physical or wellness exam. In fact well over 900 million Americans are cared for by NPs every year according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
What's more nurse practitioners are treating a growing number of patients. That can result in faster appointments less time spent waiting at the doctor's office and even more personalized care. And when it comes to your health those are always great things.