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Has The Nurse Practitioner' Edge...

An Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a Registered Nurse (RN) with advanced education and clinical training. NP’s administer health histories and physical exams, prescribe medications, treat and manage acute/chronic illnesses, provide teaching and interpret laboratory and X-ray results.

In addition, an NP is qualified to meet the majority of patients’ health care needs, such as managing most common and many chronic illnesses. Moreover, NPs promote a holistic approach to health care and emphasize the overall health and wellness of their patients.

Other NP Facts:

• NP Advantages:
  NPs are uniquely focused on “caring” as opposed to “curing.” NPs combine nursing education and experience with through education in medical care for their specialty area. They take the “whole person” into account, not just the immediate ailment. NPs provide patient-centered care. They are specifically trained to educate and support individuals and families, helping them change behaviors and make informed, individual choices about their health and their health care.
  
  
• Yes, NPs can prescribe medication
  
  
• How are NPs different from
  Physician Assistants?
  While NPs and PAs often perform similar functions, there are important distinctions between these health care professionals.  PAs work under the supervision of a physician. They must meet the entrance requirements of a PA program, but that does not necessarily include a background in medicine or nursing. In contrast, NPs may work independently or in collaboration with a physician and must have an RN license before being accepted into an NP educational program.