A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse licensed to provide health care to patients. NPs are held to the same legal and ethical standards of care as physicians and are committed to providing personalized, quality health care to all. Nurse practitioners are dedicated to bridging gaps in health care to better meet the needs of our population.
Scope of Practice
An NP provides medical care to patients across the life span with a focus on health promotion and disease prevention. Nurse practitioners work independently and in collaboration with physicians. Nurse practitioners work in both rural and urban settings. They provide health care to people of all ages and in diverse health care settings, such as private office practice, hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools, state and local health departments, and managed care facilities.
A nurse practitioner is a health care provider who:
- Performs history and physical exams.
- Diagnoses and treats medical problems.
- Orders and interprets diagnostic and laboratory tests.
- Educates and counsels individuals, families, and groups
- Provides healthcare maintenance exams, such as immunizations and well-child care.