Nurse Practitioner Info
Nurse Practitioner Summary:
A Nurse Practitioner is a registered nurse who has obtained advanced education; usually in the form of a master's degree. This additional training allows the RN to diagnose and manage many common ailments.
Nurse Practitioners can carry out some of the same duties as a physician and can also be a patient's primary care giver. The Nurse Practitioner focuses on treating illnesses and conditions as well as educating patients on health, self-care, and treatment options.
Education and training: To become a Nurse Practitioner, an associate degree in nursing or a bachelor of science is required. The associate degree takes 2 to 3 years and the bachelor's degree takes 4 to 5 years. Then, he or she must take additional training to specialize in certain medical fields. Once the education is finished, the student must be licensed by the state.
Nurse Practitioner FAQs:
What is a Nurse Practitioner
?
A Nurse Practitioner is a Registered Nurse who has additional training in the diagnosis of medical conditions, including chronic illness. A Nurse Practitioner can provide the same care as a physician. A Nurse Practitioner works closely with physicians.
What type of work does a Nurse Practitioner perform?
A Nurse Practitioner can be a regular health care provider. A Nurse Practitioner can see patients of all ages. A Nurse Practitioner focuses on prevention, education and wellness. A Nurse Practitioner can prescribe medication and give referrals.
Where does a Nurse Practitioner work?
A Nurse Practitioner can work in private offices, clinics, schools, hospitals and health departments.
What are the duties of a Nurse Practitioner?
A Nurse Practitioner can carry out many duties. Some of these include:
- Conferring with physicians and referring patients to specialists
- Counseling and educating patients in treatment options and self-care
- Diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions and diseases
- Obtaining medical history from patients and performing physical exams
- Ordering and interpreting x-rays, lab tests, and ECGs
- Prescribing medications and physical therapy
- Performing prenatal care and family planning
What types of Nurse Practitioners are there?
Nurse practitioners can be family nurse practitioners, adult nurse practitioners, pediatric nurse practitioners, neonatal nurse practitioners, women's health nurse practitioners or acute care nurse practitioners.
How do I find a Nurse Practitioner in my city and state?
The Wellness.com directory will help you locate a Nurse Practitioner in your state. Select Nurse Practitioner from the professionals menu and select the state that you are looking to locate a Nurse Practitioner in. After you have located your state, find the city that you will need a Nurse Practitioner in. Select the state and city and you will see a list of Nurse Practitioners in your city and state.
Nurse Practitioner Related Terms:
nurse, registered nurse, physician, nursing, prescriptions, medications
