Nurse Practitioner
Summary:
Certified Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are independently licensed healthcare providers who approach the holistic care of patients from a foundation of nursing theory and offer a comprehensive perspective to healthcare. Unlike licensed Registered Nurses, NPs have graduate-level nursing preparation and hold either a master's or doctorate degree. Additionally, they have met national certification requirements that allow them to diagnose and treat a number of health problems.
They may work in both inpatient and outpatient situations and can perform independently or as part of a treatment team. Generally, nurse practitioners perform the important task of educating patients about preventative care and prescribed treatments. They may also conduct physicals, order tests and serve as a patient's primary healthcare provider. Some nurse practitioners are also able to prescribe medications.
Their titles may reflect an area of specialty, such as a Pediatric NP, Neonatal NP, Family Practice NP, Pediatric NP, Acute Care NP, Emergency NP, General NP, Women's Health NP, or Psychiatric/Mental Health NP amongst others. They may also work with the adult and geriatric patient population, surgery, cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, dermatology, nephrology, neurology, and palliative care to name a few sub-specialties. They can provide various levels of health care, including primary care, supportive care, emergency care, long-term care, and acute care.
Nurse Practitioner authority and requirements differ from state to state. Listed below are informative websites regarding authorities and requirements per state.
https://www.nursinglicensure.org/articles/nurse-practitioner-license.html
https://www.aanp.org/advocacy/state/state-practice-environment
https://www.nursepractitionerschools.com/faq/how-does-np-practice-authority-vary-by-state/
NP Duties/Responsibilities
Including but not limited to:
- Help provide primary care for patients
- Perform physical exams and patient observation
- Document medical histories, physical and exam findings
- Create patient care plans and contribute to existing plans
- Order, administer, and analyze diagnostic tests
- Monitor and operate medical equipment
- Diagnose health issues/develop differential diagnoses
- Detect changes in a patient’s health and change treatment plans as necessary
- Administer medications and treatments
- Evaluate responses to treatments and medications
- Consult with healthcare professionals
- Educate patients and their families on managing illnesses, injuries, and disease prevention
- Advocate for patients, families, groups, communities
Minimum Requirements
- Masters Degree from an accredited nursing program
- Current state RN licensure, Current APRN/NP Licensure
- National certification through (ANCC, NCC, PNCB, AANPCB, AACN, etc) if required by state
- 1 - 2+ years working experience as a Nurse Practitioner outside of clinical rotations
- Current BLS
- ACLS, NRP, or PALS may be required for certain jobs depending on NP specialty/patient population
- Valid driver’s license/State ID/Passport
- Current TB screen
- Successful completion of a background check and Medely’s screening process