Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Practitioner

A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who has additional responsibilities for administering patient care than Registered Nurses (RN). They can prescribe medication, examine patients, diagnose illnesses, and provide treatment, much like physicians do. In fact, nurse practitioners have what’s known as “full practice authority” in 20 states, meaning that they do not have to work under the supervision of a doctor. In the remaining states, however, while NPs still have more authority than RNs, they must have a medical doctor sign on certain patient care decisions.

Education and Training

Nurse practitioners are educated to serve specific populations, though the population can be broad. They may train to be a generalist or a specialist. Aspiring NPs can choose from among many different specialties. The most popular specialties include Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP), Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP), Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP), and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP).

Roles and Responsibilities

The role of a nurse practitioner can vary a lot, depending on the state where they work and the population they serve. In general, NPs can provide the services that RNs can, but they also have additional responsibilities. These can include:

• Ordering, performing and interpreting diagnostic tests such as lab work and x-rays
• Diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, infections, and injuries
• Prescribing medications and other treatments
• Managing patients' overall care
• Counseling
• Educating patients on disease prevention and positive health and lifestyle choices

See Also

• Nursing
• Registered Nurse
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
• Physician

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