A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has advanced training in education along with the necessary certification and licenses. They provide care to patients given their specialty field. A nurse practitioner can specialize in a field or be generalized, such as a family nurse practitioner. The nurse practitioner can diagnose and treat symptoms, diseases, illnesses, and injuries. On the other hand, nurse practitioners can also give regular check-ups to patients.
To become a nurse practitioner one needs to first be a registered nurse. One needs to obtain a bachelor’s in science for nursing, before entering nurse practitioner programs. To get into the nurse practitioner program one must currently obtain that state’s RN license, CPR certification, and typically a certain grade point average. The program is a year and half long, where the student will take classes such as pharmacology, educator classes, and advanced health assessments. Some nurse practitioner schools also offer online nurse practitioner programs. Ultimately, to obtain nurse practitioner jobs you must hold a Master’s or Doctoral degree.
As a nurse practitioner one has the opportunity to specialize in a specific field. Other options include being a generalized nurse practitioner. A few areas of specialty include Pediatrics, Oncology, Geriatrics and Psychiatrics. Generalized areas for nurse practitioners include family practices. Nurse practitioners can work as a generalized or specialized practitioner either at a hospital, clinic, or local or private practice office. One other area where nurse practitioners can work is in school settings. Nurse practitioners can also do administrative work.
As one can see there are a variety of places a nurse practitioner can work. Nurse practitioners have the option of many fields of study to practice medicine in. Whether this is a specialty or generalized field, nurse practitioners can also go to a specific school for their intended field where they will practice medicine. Nurse practitioners work under a physician assistant and physician, but over a registered nurse. Nurse practitioners are still overseen by physicians, but are allowed to see patients on a regular basis. Typically nurse practitioners go over medical charts, histories, and examinations with physicians to make sure everything is up to date and in order. This way patient charts are overseen by higher medical professionals, and more eyes are on charts. This allows and ensures little room for error, by doing a review. Typically reviews are done on either a daily or weekly basis. The reviews are dependent upon the facility and how lenient they are with nurse practitioners.
Additional Nurse Practitioner Resources:
Nurse Practitioner Overview: An overview of nurse practitioners, including how to become one, areas of specialty and the job description.
Registered Nurses: The nature of the being a registered nurse, and additional qualifications including nurse practitioners.
License Requirements: Nurse Practitioner: New York State’s website regarding license requirements to become a nurse practitioner.
BOP Career Opportunities: Nurse Practitioner: Information on Nurses Practitioner jobs for the department of justice.
Mid-Level Practitioners: Authorization for Nurses Practitioners by the state information.
Nurse Practitioner: Licensure information and general information about nurse practitioners for New York State.
The Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner: Iowa State’s information on being a Nurse Practitioner.
Advanced Practiced Nurse – General Information: The different areas of study for advancing as a nurse.
Rules of Services Provided by Nurse Practitioners: Information regarding services and the rules surrounding them by nurse practitioners.
Defining Scope of Practice for Nurse Practitioners: Influences on Scope of Practice for nurse practitioners.
Florida Bills that Would Ease Nurse Practitioner Supervisory Requirements: Federal Trade Commission poses to pass a bill in Florida to ease the supervisory requirements for Nurse Practitioners.
Nursing & Collaborative Practice: Practice arrangements for the board of nursing.
Nurse Practitioner as First Assistant in Cardiac Catheterization: The Massachusetts Board of Registration issued a ruling that nurse practitioners could be a first assistant in cardiac catherterization.
Nurse Practitioner Services (PDF): Information that is up to date on services that nurse practitioners provide.
Nurse Practitioner’s Guide to On-The-Job Injuries in Oregon (PDF): Complete guide regarding on-the-job injuries that can occur for nurse practitioners.
Advanced Practice Certification: A complete list of advanced practice certifications for one to specialize in.
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners: A website regarding the voice of nurse practitioners.
American College of Nurse Practitioners: A dedicated website for nurse practitioners that gives up to date information.
AANPCP Recertification: Recertification website for nurse practitioners.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioners: The mission of pediatric nurse practitioners.
Nurse Practitioner Association for New York State: Areas of interest for nurse practitioners.
Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health: Up to date awareness information and other information regarding women’s health issues.
Improving Quality Care Through Nurse Practitioner Innovations: A mission statement along with goals to improving patient health care.
Nurse Practitioner Associates for Continuing Education: Information regarding continuing education for nurse practitioners.
Nurse Practitioner Career Overview: Complete overview from Mayo Hospital for nurse practitioners.
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