The primary Role of a Nurse Practitioner is to help patients manage acute and chronic illnesses. They conduct physical exams and perform diagnostic tests and procedures. Nurse practitioners that work in the family practice specialty diagnose and treat patients from infants to adults. They focus on primary care, ensuring health issues are being addressed. As clinicians their expertise are in diagnosing and treating health conditions with an added emphasis on disease prevention and health management.
NPs bring a comprehensive perspective and personal touch to health care, they are not only nurses, but a nurse with a higher level of education. NPs can work independently in clinics and private practices, emphasizing care alongside a provider. APN role is to diagnose and manage acute and chronic conditions and emphasize health promotion and disease prevention. They may be certified to see patients without a doctor, order diagnostic tests, make clinical diagnosis, and to make important medical decisions.
APNs can work in a variety of clinical settings, including medical offices, hospitals, and nursing homes. They perform duties similar to medical doctors, such as administering anesthesia and prescribing medication. Advanced Practice Nurses were designed to fill gaps in the field left by a shortage of medical doctors. There are four main areas of specialization that an APN attains: Nurse Practitioner (NP), Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), and Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM).
A nurse practitioner is a type of APN. Nurse practitioners and Advanced Practice nurses both require a master’s degree or higher. The must obtain licensure under the Board of nursing to safely practice nursing. The employment of more nurse practitioners (NPs) is one of the most promising ways to meet the projected needs for the healthcare shortage. With the geriatric population living pass 70 years of age and baby boomers not slowing down, NPs are needed to allow physicians to see the more critical patients.
NPs and APNs can perform functions previously reserved for doctors which is diagnosing ordering and interpreting lab tests, giving anesthesia, and prescribing medications, and they comprise several specialties. However, physicians need to understand that we are not here to replaced them, just simply help with managing and diagnosing care. NP and APN are specially trained and highly skilled to provide care whereas some hold doctoral degrees.
The healthcare field has enough jobs for everyone to stay employed. Our biggest commitment is to ensure patients receives the best care possible. If the interdisciplinary team all collaborated together, we will be a powerhouse. Patients will be assessed in a timely manner. An APN and NP can be utilized in hospitals and nursing homes so that physicians are not being called. Having onsite providers will ensure patient needs are addressed, and critical labs are corrected.
References:
Hamric, B.A., Hanson,M. C. and Tracy, F. M., and O’Grady, T.E.(2013).Advanced Practice Nursing: An Integrative Approach (5th ED.) St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. ISBN:
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