Nurse Practitioner
Description
A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse with advanced academic and clinical experience, which enables him or her to diagnose and manage most common and many chronic illnesses, either independently or as part of a health care team. A nurse practitioner provides some care previously offered only by physicians and in most states has the ability to prescribe medications.
Working in collaboration with a physician, a nurse
practitioner provides high-quality, cost-effective and individualized care for
the lifespan of patient’s special needs.
Nurse Practitioners focus largely on health maintenance, disease prevention, counseling and patient education in a wide variety of settings. With a strong emphasis on primary care, nurse practitioners are employed within several specialties, including neonatology, nurse-midwifery, pediatrics, school health, family and adult health, women’s health, mental health, home care, geriatrics, acute care and more.
Nurse practitioners are educated through programs that grant either a certificate or a master’s degree. A registered nurse is recommended to have extensive clinical experience before applying to a nurse practitioner program. An intensive preceptorship under the direct supervision of an experienced nurse practitioner or a physician, as well as instruction in nursing theory, are key components to most nurse practitioner programs.
Further Information
American College of
Nurse Practitioners
1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 404
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202.659.2190
Fax: 202.659-2191
