What’s a nurse practitioner?
If you've stepped foot in a physician's office lately, you might have seen a nurse practitioner rather than a physician. You might wonder who are they? Are they qualified to provide my care? Can they diagnose me or prescribe medications?
A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse with higher education and training in a particular area, which could be a specialty pediatrics or family practice. They typically have a master's degree and board certification in their specialty, explained Nurse Journal.
According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), NPs have to complete rigorous certification peer review and clinical outcome evaluations. They must adhere to an ethical code of practice and participate in healthcare forums, conduct research, and apply research findings to their clinical practice.
What can nurse practitioners do?
Nurse practitioners can write prescriptions for medications, diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries, order and conduct diagnostic testing such as X-rays and MRIs, and record and examine medical histories. They also provide direct care and guidance to patients with a focus on preventative and holistic care.
NPs are licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and follow the rules and regulations set forth by the state where they're licensed. They might practice in an office, clinic, hospital, emergency room, private practice, nursing home, college, urgent care, or public health department.
When might you see a nurse practitioner?
Nurse practitioners might be part of any physician's office, whether primary care or specialty. Typically, if you see a nurse practitioner, their focus will be on health promotion, preventing disease, and health education and counseling, according to the AANP.
If your care is being provided by a nurse practitioner, you can rest assured they have the background education and expertise to provide you with high-quality healthcare. If you need care outside their scope of practice, an NP will refer you to a physician in the same office as needed.
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