The nurse practitioner performs many of the same duties as nurse, but with a higher level of complexity and responsibility. They are an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who has completed graduate-level education (either a Master of nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice degree). Nurse Practitioners treat both physical and mental conditions through comprehensive history taking, physical exams, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests. They care for people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled, provide bedside care, record patients' vital signs such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration, and monitor signs continually for changes.
They prepare and give injections, insert and monitor catheters, administer alcohol rubs, give massages, check and dress wounds, apply topical ointments, assist with bathing and dressing, feed patient, supervise nursing assistants, collect samples for testing, perform laboratory tests, record food and fluid intake and output, clean and monitor medical equipment, deliver, care for, and feed infants, and report adverse reactions to medication.
NPs also obtain medical histories, complete insurance forms, complete pre-authorizations and referrals, teach relatives how to care for patients at home, develop care plans, make appointments, keep records and perform other clerical duties, and prepare meals.
But nurse practitioner have more responsibility than the average nurse. They can also provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive healthcare services, take medical histories, ascertain allergies, examine patients and determine reason for visit, order and interpret laboratory tests, order x-rays, treat minor injuries, apply antiseptics, dressings, bandages, and other wound care accoutrements, and apply sutures.
NPs can splint and cast broken bones, record patient's progress and make further recommendations, instruct and counsel patients on a variety of topics, prescribe physical therapy and medications, order medical supplies, supervise medical technicians, nurses, and assistants, confer often with supervising physician, make house calls, administer inoculations, order and set up special equipment, provide surgical assistance, attend to patients in hospitals, and recommend follow up visits.
Nurse Practitioners can be educated and nationally certified in areas of Family Health (FNP), Pediatrics, including Pediatric Acute/Chronic Care, Pediatric Critical Care, Pediatric Oncology and general Pediatrics (PNP), Neonatology (NNP), Gerontology (GNP), Women's Health (WHNP), Psychiatry & Mental Health (PMHNP), Acute Care (ACNP), Adult Health (ANP), Oncology (FNP, ACNP, ANP, PNP or ANP) Emergency (as FNP or ACNP), and Occupational Health (as ANP or FNP).
An NP provides high-quality, cost-effective and individualized care for patients, families and communities. NPs are authorized to practice across the nation and have privileges to prescribe medications, in varying degrees in all 50 states. NPs are licensed in all states and the District of Columbia. They practice under the rules and regulations of the state in which they are licensed. Most NPs are nationally certified in their specialty area and are recognized as expert healthcare providers.
They practice in clinics, hospitals, emergency rooms, urgent care sites, private physician or NP practices, nursing homes, schools, colleges, and public health departments, to name a few.
According to the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, more and more people are choosing NPs as their primary, acute and/or specialty healthcare provider. In addition to being top-notch healthcare providers, NPs deliver a blend of nursing and medical care because they provide comprehensive, personalized health education and counseling.
