- A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has attained a graduate degree (minimally a master's degree) through an accredited nurse practitioner training program. Training programs offer additional education in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic medical conditions. Nurse practitioners may also choose to engage in additional training in a specific medical specialty such as women's health, gerontology or family health.
- Each state sets its own specific requirements for licensure as a nurse practitioner. In general, nurse practitioners must be graduates of an accredited Masters level training program, as well as having a valid RN license. Many states require that candidates for nurse practitioner licensure have a certain period of clinical experience as an RN. The American Nurses Credentialing Center administers a professional board examination for nurse practitioners, although in some states this certification is optional.
- Nurse practitioners are able to offer a wide range of services to patients, similar to that of an MD family practitioner. Nurse practitioners can diagnose and treat routine medical problems and assisting patients with managing chronic health issues such as asthma or diabetes. Nurse practitioners can prescribe medication, order diagnostic tests and refer to specialty care where needed. Nurse practitioners also offer preventive care such as yearly medical exams. They can provide well-child care, immunizations and perform routine procedures such as suturing or dermatological biopsies.
- It is the philosophy of nurse practitioners to provide individualized care that focuses on wellness and healthful lifestyle choices. Nurse practitioners, on the whole, spend more time with patients at appointments than do MDs, and are more likely to offer patient education and counseling.
- Nurse practitioners may work as generalists, or within a nursing specialty. The ANCC offers professional certification exams for nurse practitioners working in various medical specialties, such as acute care, mental health, women's health, pediatrics, occupational health, cardiovascular care and gerontology, among others. Certified nurse midwives (CNMs) are another type of nurse practitioner who provide care to women during pregnancy and childbirth.
