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Graduate Nursing - Nurse Practitioner
As defined by the American College of Nurse Practitioners, "A
nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse with advanced
academic and clinical experience, which enables him or her to
diagnose and manage most common and many chronic illnesses,
either independently or as part of a health care team. A nurse
practitioner provides some care previously offered only by physicians
and in most states has the ability to prescribe medications.
Working in collaboration with a physician, a nurse practitioner
provides high-quality, cost-effective and individualized care
for the lifespan of patient's special needs.
NPs focus largely on health maintenance, disease prevention,
counseling and patient education in a wide variety of settings.
With a strong emphasis on primary care, a nurse practitioner
may be employed within several specialties, including neonatology,
nurse-midwifery, pediatrics, school health, family and adult
health, women's health, mental health, home care, geriatrics
and acute care.
Nurse practitioners are educated through programs that grant
either a certificate or a master's degree. A registered nurse
is recommended to have extensive clinical experience before
applying to a nurse practitioner program. Intensive practicums
and clinicals under the direct supervision of a physician or
an experienced nurse practitioner, as well as instruction in
nursing theory, are key components to most NP programs. The
scope of an NP's practice varies depending upon each state's
regulations."
The American College of
Nurse Practitioners
1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 404, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202.659.2190, Fax: 202.659.2191
Email:
acnp@acnpweb.org
Why Choose a Nurse
Practitioner?
Nurse Practitioners provide patients with the information they
need to make decisions about their own health. They take the
time to listen to patients' concerns, health and otherwise.
They concentrate on preventative health care. And, they provide
individualized, holistic (all encompassing) care.
In most cases, Nurse Practitioners obtain medical histories
and perform physical examinations. They provide immunizations
and other preventative child-care along with diagnosing and
treating various illnesses. NPs identify, treat, and manage
chronic diseases such as diabetes and arthritis. They order
and interpret diagnostic tests such as x-rays, blood work, and
EKG's. They prescribe medications, physical therapy, message
therapy, and other rehabilitation therapy. They provide education
to allow patients to make decisions about their own health.
Nurse practitioners perform procedures such as suturing, casting,
cryotherapy, and skin biopsy. And they refer patients to other
health care providers.
Where Do Nurse Practitioners
Work?
Since their inception in the 1960's, Nurse Practitioners have
been overcoming barriers to health care. Many specialize in
providing health care to under-served populations. This allows
NPs to practice in a variety of settings both urban and rural
including: Private Offices, Walk-in clinics, Community Clinics,
Health Departments, School/College Clinics, Hospitals, Home
Health Care Agencies, Nursing Homes, and Health Maintenance
Organizations.
How to Become A Nurse Practitioner
To find out more about how you can become a Nurse Practitioner,
take a minute to call or visit Indiana Wesleyan University's
Graduate Nursing programs.
Call 1-800-895-0036 or
email graduate@indwes.edu.
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