Nurse Practitioner: An Overview
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who have completed a graduate-level education and have obtained advanced certification in a specialty area of practice. Nurse practitioners are able to provide primary healthcare services to patients, including health maintenance, diagnosis, and management of acute and chronic illnesses. The scope of practice for nurse practitioners varies depending on state law and specialty area. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) estimates that there are over 248,000 nurse practitioners practicing in the United States, and the number of NPs is expected to continue to grow in the coming years (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2016).
Nurse practitioners play an important role in providing accessible and high-quality healthcare, particularly in rural and underserved communities. NPs are well trained and able to provide comprehensive primary care services, including preventive care, health promotion, and management of acute and chronic illnesses. NPs are also able to order and interpret diagnostic tests, make diagnoses, and prescribe medications and other treatments. With more NPs in the workforce, patients have access to care earlier in the healthcare continuum, leading to improved health outcomes and reduced health care costs (AANP, 2016).
In addition to providing primary care services, NPs also have the ability to provide specialized services in areas such as mental health, geriatrics, women’s health, pediatrics, and oncology. NPs are able to diagnose and treat patients, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and provide specialized care in their area of expertise. The role of the NP in providing specialized care is beneficial for patients, as they have access to care from a provider who is knowledgeable in their area of specialty.
Nurse practitioners are an integral part of the healthcare system and are key players in providing accessible and high-quality care to patients. NPs are highly trained and able to provide comprehensive primary care services as well as specialized care in their area of expertise. With more NPs in the workforce, patients have access to care earlier in the healthcare continuum, leading to improved health outcomes and reduced health care costs.
References
American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2016). About Nurse Practitioners. Retrieved from https://www.aanp.org/about-nps