| What
is a Nurse Practitioner |
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.
Nurse
practitioners may be found in all 50 states. Research studies
since 1965 have documented that Nurse practitioners provide:
- High quality care
- Cost-effective care
- A unique approach to health care
- Care that results in a high level of patient satisfaction
Nurse
practitioners serve as the regular health care provider
for children and adults during health and illness. In order
to provide complete health care, Nurse Practitioners:
- Obtain medical histories and perform physical examinations
- Diagnose and treat acute health problems such as infections
and injuries
- Diagnose, treat, and monitor chronic diseases such as
diabetes and high blood pressure
- Order, perform, and interpret diagnostic studies such
as lab work and x-rays
- Prescribe medications and other treatments
- Provide prenatal care and family planning services
- Provide well-child care, including screening and immunizations
- Provide health maintenance care for adults, including
annual physicals
- Promote positive health behaviors and self-care skills
through education and counseling
- Collaborate with physicians and other health professionals
as needed
Nurse
Practitioners do more than direct patient care. Many nurse
practitioners are also actively involved in education, research,
and legislative activities to promote quality health care
for all people in the United States.
What
are the specialty areas of Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse
Practitioners provide primary health care in a number of
specialty areas, such as:
- Acute
Care
- Adult
- Emergency
- Family
Practice
- Gerontologic/Elder
Health
- Neonatal/Perinatal
|
- Occupational
Health
- Oncology
- Pediatric/Child
Health
- Psychiatric/Mental
Health School/College
- Health
Women's Health
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Where
do Nurse Practitioners Work?
In an effort to make health care available to as many people
as possible. Nurse Practitioners work in both rural and
urban settings, such as:
- Community
Health Centers
- Public
Health Departments
- Hospitals
and Hospital Clinics
- School
and College Student Health Clinics
- Business
and Industry Employee Health Settings
- Physician
Offices
|
- Nurse
Practitioner Offices
- Health
Maintenance Organizations
- Nursing
Homes and Hospices
- Home
Health Agencies
- The
Armed Forces and Veteran's
- Administration
Facilities
Schools of Nursing
|
Why
Choose a Nurse Practitioner?
More and more people are choosing Nurse Practitioners for
their regular health care provider because Nurse Practitioners
are health professionals who:
- Provide individualized care, focusing not only on health
problems, but also on the effects health problems have
on people and their families.
- Explain the details of health problems, medications,
and other topics to help people fully understand how to
take care of themselves
- Ask about people's worries and concerns about their
health and their health care
- Emphasize wellness and self-care by giving people the
information they need to make healthy lifestyle choices
and health care decisions
- Charge competitive fees which are covered by health
insurance programs
© American Academy of Nurse
Practitioners. All rights reserved.
|
