A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse (RN) who has also completed a masters degree in nursing science and specialty training in a specific area such as family practice, pediatrics, or midwifery. In addition to educational requirements, nurse practitioners are required to pass national board certification in their area of specialty.
Licensed as both nurse practitioners and registered nurses, Family Practice nurse practitioners often provide a range of routine health care to all age groups for immediate (acute) and chronic (long-term) health needs.
Nurse Practitioners can work closely with doctors to provide individualized care for their patients. Nurse Practitioners are licensed in all 50 states, and can dispense most medications. Although doctors have additional training to help patients deal with complex medical problems, it is widely believed that Nurse Practitioners spend more time with their patients. Their training emphasizes disease prevention, reduction of health risks, and thorough patient education. Like doctors, Nurse Practitioners are involved in more than just direct patient care. Many participate in education, research, and legislative activities to improve the quality of health care in the United States.
Learn more about Licensed Nurse Practitioners.