Nurse Practitioner Job Description
Nurse Practitioners are advanced practice registered Nurses who have completed advanced coursework and clinical education beyond the requirements of a typical registered Nurse. Nurse Practitioners often work independently of physicians, and provide a wide array of different skills, while specializing in treating and diagnosing patients from any age range.
These Nurses must be prepared to be lead independent careers while paying specific attention to patients’ families.
Nurse Practitioners find work in hospitals, private practices, government organizations, community health organizations, and many other health care systems. Whether or not Nurse Practitioners work under supervision of physicians depends on the state in which they work.
Nurse Practitioners are often asked to perform the following duties and services:
- Diagnose, treat, and help patients manage chronic illnesses
- Conduct physical examinations
- Interpret medical history
- Prescribe age-specific physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Prescribe pharmacologic treatments- Provide prenatal care, family planning services, and screening services
- Perform minor surgical procedures
- Counsel and educate patients about preventative measures
Nurse Practitioners may specialize in plenty of areas, such as cardiology, dermatology, oncology, pain management, surgical services, orthopedics, womens health, and much more. Whether under the supervision of a physician or not, Nurse Practitioners are vital members of the medical industry.
