About Nurse Practitioners

Nurse Practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who are prepared, through extensive education and clinical training, to provide a wide range of preventive and acute health care services to individuals of all ages. Nurse Practitioners complete graduate-level education preparation leading to a master’s degree, followed by post-graduate certification in their specialty area such as Adult Health, Family, Pediatrics, Acute Care, Women’s Health, Geriatrics, and others.

Nurse Practitioners take health histories and provide complete physical examinations, diagnose and treat many common acute and chronic problems, interpret laboratory results and x–rays, prescribe and manage medications and other therapies, provide health teaching and supportive counseling with an emphasis on prevention of illness and health maintenance, and refer patients to other health professionals as needed.