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What is a Nurse Practitioner (N.P.)?
A Nurse Practitioner is a registered nurse (RN) who has advanced education and clinical training in a health care specialty area. Nurse Practitioners work with people of all ages and their families, providing information people need to make informed decisions about their health care and lifestyle choices. Nurse Practitioners practice under the rules and regulations of the Nurse Practice Act of the state in which they work. Most nurse practitioners are also nationally certified in their specialty area. They are recognized as expert health care providers.
What can a Nurse Practitioner do?
Because the profession is state regulated, care provided by NPs varies. 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. Prescribing physical therapy and other rehabilitation treatments. Providing prenatal care and family planning services. Providing well-child care, including screening and immunizations. Providing health maintenance care for adults, including annual physicals.
What qualifies a Nurse Practitioner to practice?
To be licensed as a nurse practitioner, the candidate must first complete the education and training necessary to be a registered nurse (RN).
Requirements for a registered nurse include an associate degree in nursing (ADN), a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN), or completion of a diploma program, as well as direct patient care for acutely or chronically ill patients. Associate degree in nursing programs, which are offered by community and junior colleges, usually take 2-3 years. BSN programs are offered by colleges and universities and take 4-5 years and diploma programs are administered in hospitals and usually take 2-3 years. Depending on the program attended, the candidate may fulfill some NP requirements while completing the RN degree.
In most cases, professionals and employers in the field strongly recommend a master's degree as a minimal requirement for NPs, and some states require this. To become NPs, most nurses with an ADN or diploma enter a bachelor of science to master's program. They may be able to find a staff nursing position and take advantage of tuition reimbursement programs to work toward a BSN.
Once registered nurse status is attained, the candidate must complete a state-approved advanced training program that usually specializes in a field such as family practice, internal medicine, or women's health. The degree can be granted by any of the following:
- Community college (grants an associate degree)
- Hospital-based program (grants a 3-year diploma)
- University, which grants a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree; a master's of science in nursing (MSN) degree, which is the minimum degree required; or a doctorate in nursing
Where do Nurse Practitioners practice?
Nurse practitioners provide high-quality, cost-effective individualized care that is comparable to the health care provided by physicians, and NP services are often covered by insurance providers. NPs practice in all states. The institutions in which they work include the following:
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Community clinics and health centers
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Health departments
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Home Health Care
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Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)
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Hospitals
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Hospital clinics
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Hospice centers
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Nurse practitioner offices
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Nursing homes
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Nursing schools
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Physician offices
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Private offices
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Public health departments
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School/college clinics
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Walk-in clinics
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Veterans Administration facilities
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Most NPs specialize in a particular field of medical care, and there are as many types of NPs as there are medical specialties.
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