With so many different kinds of medical professionals in our world, it’s a bit difficult to know what each of them does. You’ve got doctors, Physicians Assistants, Nurses, and Nurse Practitioners, and there are differences in each. For example, some may be able to prescribe medication, while others cannot.
National Nurse Practitioner Week is celebrated in mid-November. NPs are probably one of the roles you don’t know much about, so let’s highlight these critical team members and what they do.
What is a Nurse Practitioner?
An NP is a registered nurse (RN) that has completed advanced training and certification. Nurse Practitioners are trained to order and interpret diagnostic and laboratory tests, diagnose disease, formulate, and prescribe treatment plans. Additionally, NPs can examine their patients’ medical histories and perform physical evaluations.
NPs typically work alongside physicians as a team. Physicians can give advice and recommendations to NPs for more complex needs from a patient. However, NPs can prescribe most medicines. Did you know that nearly half of all NPs work in a physician’s office?
JCMC is fortunate enough to have an excellent team of Nurse Practitioners across Eastern NC who are extremely dedicated to their patients.
How to Become a Nurse Practitioner
While the road to becoming an NP takes a ton of dedication and intelligence, it is not quite as rigorous as medical school, which is why so many choose this path. To become an NP, you must earn a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, pass the NCLEX-RN Examination, earn a Master’s of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice, and pass the national certification exam for Nurse Practitioners.
Specialties
Just like doctors, NPs can go into several different specialties. They include Family NP, Pediatric NP, Orthopedic NP, Psychiatric NP, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Nurse Anesthetist. Most NPs decide their specialty based upon their interests, likes, and personalities.
We appreciate our team of Nurse Practitioners here at JCMC, and we couldn’t do it without them. If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our incredible NPs, please visit our website.
