Nurse practitioner 2848980 222929321 2008-07-01T19:58:40Z Lboocks 7405983 /* External links */ {{global}} A '''Nurse Practitioner''' (NP) is a [[registered nurse]] who has completed specific advanced [[nursing]] education (generally a [[master's degree]]) and training in the diagnosis and management of common as well as complex medical conditions. Nurse Practitioners provide a broad range of [[health care]] services. In some states, NPs admit and follow their patients in hospitals. Some NPs work in emergency rooms evaluating, diagnosing and treating patients with lacerations and fractures. In a few states, NPs are allowed to open their own clinics and offices. In the [[US]], NPs are licensed by the state in which they practice, and have a national board certification (usually through the American Nurses Credentialing Center or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners). Nurse Practitioners can be trained and nationally certified in areas of pediatrics, geriatrics, women's health, psychiatry and acute care. Nurse Practitioners treat both acute and chronic conditions through comprehensive history taking, physical exams, physical therapy, ordering tests and therapies for patients, within their scope of practice. An NP can serve as a patient's "point of entry" health care provider, and see patients of all ages depending on their designated scope of practice. The core philosophy of the field is individualized care. Nurse Practitioners focus on patients' conditions as well as the effects of illness on the lives of the patients and their families. == Scope of practice == {{Prose|date=September 2007}} Because the profession is state regulated, care provided by NPs varies. A nurse practitioner's job may include the following: *Diagnosing, treating, evaluating and managing non-life-threatening acute and chronic illness and disease (e.g. [[diabetes]], [[high blood pressure]]) *Obtaining medical histories and conducting physical examinations *Ordering, performing, and interpreting diagnostic studies (e.g., routine lab tests, bone [[x-rays]], [[EKG]]s) *Prescribing [[physical therapy]] and other rehabilitation treatments *Providing [[prenatal]] care and family planning services *Providing well-child care, including screening and [[immunizations]] *Providing primary and specialty care services, health-maintenance care for adults, including annual physicals *Providing care for patients in acute and critical care settings *Performing minor surgeries and procedures (with additional training and usually under supervision) (e.g., dermatological biopsies, suturing, casting) *[[Counseling]] and educating patients on health behaviors, self-care skills, and treatment options * Not formally trained for surgical assisting == Practice settings == {{Prose|date=September 2007}} NPs practice in all U.S. states. The institutions in which they work include the following: *Community [[clinic]]s and [[nurse-managed health center]]s *Health departments *[[Health maintenance organizations]] (HMOs) *[[Home health care]] agencies *[[Hospital]]s and hospital clinics including ER, urgent care, wards, and intensive care units *[[Hospice care|Hospice]] centers *Nurse Practitioner offices *[[Nursing home]]s *Nursing schools *Physician offices *Public [[health department]]s *School/college clinics *[[Veterans Administration]] facilities *[[Walk-In Clinic]]s == Education, licensing, and board certification == NPs specialize in a particular field of health care practicing advanced nursing not medicine. To be [[Licensure|licensed]] as a nurse practitioner, the candidate must first complete the education and training necessary to be a registered nurse (RN). Requirements for a [[registered nurse]] (RN) include either an [[associate degree]] in nursing (ASN), a [[Bachelor of Science in Nursing|Bachelor of Science degree in nursing]] (BSN), or completion of a diploma program, as well as direct patient care for acutely or chronically ill patients. Associate degree in nursing programs, which are offered by community and junior colleges, usually take 2 years. BSN programs are offered by colleges and universities and take 4 years. In most states a master's degree is required. To become NPs, nurses with an ADN or diploma must first complete a bachelor's degree or enter in various programs offering an ADN to master's degree via a "bridge program," most of which award the bachelor's degree while completing the requirements for the master's. Once registered nurse status is attained, the candidate must complete a state-approved advanced nursing education program that usually specializes in a field such as family practice, adult health, acute care or women's health. The degree can be granted by: *A university, which grants a master's of science in nursing (MSN) degree which is now the minimum degree required *A university, which grants a doctorate in nursing The variety of educational paths for NPs is a result of the history of the field. In 1965, the profession of nurse practitioner was instituted and required a master's degree. In the late 1960s into the 1970s, predictions of a physician shortage increased funding and attendance in nurse practitioner programs. During the 1970s, the NP requirements relaxed to include continuing education programs, which helped accommodate the demand for NPs. The certifying organizations, states, and employers require a minimum of a master's degree for new NPs (already established NPs with lesser education were [[Grandfather clause|grandfathered in]]). After completing the education program, the candidate must be licensed by the state in which he or she plans to practice. The State Boards of Nursing regulate nurse practitioners and each state has its own licensing and certification criteria. In general, the criteria include completion of a master's degree in nursing and certification by an accrediting body (AANC, AANP). The license period varies by state; some require biennial relicensing, others require triennial. Before or after receiving state licensing, a nurse practitioner can apply for national certification from one of several professional nursing organizations such as the [[American Nurses Credentialing Center]] (ANCC) or the [[American Academy of Nurse Practitioners]] (AANP). Contrary to popular belief, the [[American Nurses Association]] (ANA) does not offer certification directly, but through its credentialing arm, the ANCC. Some NPs pursue certification in a specialty. Several organizations oversee certification, including the following: *[http://www.aacn.org/ American Association of Critical-Care Nurses] *[http://www.apna.org/ American Psychiatric Nursing Association] *[http://www.ena.org/bcen/ Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing] *[http://www.pncb.org Pediatric Nursing Certification Board] *[http://www.nccnet.org/public/pages/index.cfm?pageid=61 National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing Specialties] *[http://www.oncc.org/ Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation] *[http://www.ahna.org/home/home.html American Holistic Nurses Association] == Post-nominal initials == {{see also|List of nursing credentials}} [[Post-nominal]] initials NPs may use are regulated by the state in which they are licensed and include: *NP-C (nurse practitioner - certified; if certified by the [http://www.aanp.org/default.asp AANP]) *APRN, BC (advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Board Certified; if certified by the [http://www.nursingworld.org/ancc/ ANCC]) *CNP (certified nurse practitioner) *ACNP-C (Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Certified)([http://www.aacn.org/certcorp/certcorp.nsf/vwdoc/ACNPC]) *CPNP (pediatric NP when certified by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board ([http://www.pncb.org/ PNCB]) *CRNA ([[Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist]]) *CRNP (certified registered nurse practitioner) used primarily in Pennsylvania ([http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/lib/bpoa/20/nurs_board/nurseact.pdf]) *MSN ([[master of science in nursing]]) *MN (master of nursing) *RN (registered nurse) *FAAN (Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing ([http://www.aannet.org/ AAN]) *FAANP (Fellow of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners ([http://www.aanp.org/default.asp AANP]) *CDE (certified diabetic educator) *ND (nursing doctorate, being phased out due to confusion with Doctor of Naturopathy) *DNP (doctor of nursing practice) *DrNP (clinical doctorate in nursing) *Initials of the NP's specialty may also follow their name: **ACNP ([[Acute care]] NP) **AHN (holistic NP) **ANP (adult NP) **ENP (emergency NP [http://www.ena.org/pdf/ScopeNP.PDF]) **FNP (family NP) **GNP ([[Geriatrics|geriatric]] NP) **NNP ([[neonatal]] NP) **PMHNP ([[Psychiatric and mental health Nurse Practitioner]]) **PNP ([[pediatric]] NP) **WHNP (women's health NP) **BC, PCM (board certified, palliative care management) **BC, ADM (board certified, advanced diabetes management) ** RN(EP) - RN (Extended Practice), Manitoba, Canada **RN(NP) Registered Nurse-Nurse Practitioner, Saskatchewan, Canada ==See also== {{nursingportal}} * [[Nurse]] * [[Nursing]] * [[Advanced practice nurse]] * [[Clinical Nurse Specialist]] * [[Nurse Midwife]] * [[Physician Assistant]] * [[Nurse anesthetist|Nurse Anesthetist]] * [[Registered Nurse]] * [[List of counseling topics]] == References == {{reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.aanp.org/default.asp American Academy of Nurse Practitioners] (AANP) *[http://www.nursingworld.org/ American Nurses Association] (ANA) *[http://www.aannet.org/ American Academy of Nursing] (AAN) *[http://www.nurse.org/acnp/index.shtml American College of Nurse Practitioners] (ACNP) *[http://www.nonpf.com/ The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties] (NONPF) *[http://www.advanceweb.com/NP''Advance for Nurse Practitioners'' journal] *[http://www.tnpj.com/pt/re/nursepract/home.htm;jsessionid=DVgFBTbscqRo8rZuV2Ce2u5Ys7O1VPYbeY4rD7PZj015oa97X3QW!1504495626!-949856144!9001!-1 ''The Nurse Practitioner: The American Journal of Primary Health Care''] *[http://www.nursingadvocacy.org/about_us/about_us.html The Center for Nursing Advocacy] *[http://www.npcentral.net/ NP Central] *[http://www.npace.org NPACE - Nurse Practitioner Associates for Continuing Education] *[http://www.nursepractitioners.org.au Australian Nurse Practitioner Association] (ANPA) *[http://www.sanpa.org.au South Australian Nurse Practitioner Association] (SANPA) *[http://www.NPCanada.ca NPCanada.ca (The Canadian Nurse Practitioner)] *[http://www.nursepractitioner.ca Nurse Practitioner Association of Manitoba (NPAM)] *[http://www.CNPI.ca The Canadian Nurse Practitioner Initiative (CNPI)] *[http://www.pncb.org The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)] {{Nursing}} [[Category:Healthcare occupations]] [[Category:Nursing specialties]] [[nl:Praktijkondersteuner]] [[ja:ナースプラクティショナー]]