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
• Nurse Practitioner Offices
• Public Health Departments
• Health Maintenance Organizations
• Hospitals and Hospital Clinics
• Nursing Homes and Hospices
• School and College Student Health Clinics
• Home Health Agencies
• Business and Industry Employee Health Settings
• The Armed Forces and Veteran's Administration
Facilities
• Physician Offices
• 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
