REGISTERED NURSE PRACTITIONER

Registered Nurse Practitioners treat both physical and mental conditions through comprehensive history taking, physical exams, and ordering tests for interpretation. RNPs can provide a diagnosis and recommendations for a wide range of acute and chronic diseases  and provide appropriate treatment for patients, including prescribing medications in some states.RNPs can serve as a patient’s primary health care provider, and see patients of all ages depending on their specialty (family, pediatrics, geriatrics, etc.). Similar to all medical professions, the core philosophy of the field is individualized care that focuses on patients’ conditions as well as the effects of illness on the lives of the patients and their families. Like all medical care providers, RNPs make prevention, wellness, and patient education priorities. In addition to providing health care services, RNPs may conduct research and are often active in patient advocacy activities. To become licensed to practice, Nurse Practitioners must be board certified in an area (such as family medicine, women’s health, pediatrics, adult medicine, acute care, etc.), and are licensed through the state nursing boards.