Medical Care
What is a Nurse Practitioner?
Family Nurse Practitioners
A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is a registered nurse (RN) with advanced training in diagnosing and treating illness. Nurse Practitioners are licensed master’s prepared healthcare providers who graduate from federally accredited graduate nursing school programs. NP’s are state licensed after passing rigorous state board exams and must maintain yearly state and national requirements for continuing medical education in order to renew their license. NP’s are trained to focus on helping you achieve total health and prevent disease.
While nurse practitioners provide the same quality of care as medical doctors, the philosophy of nurse practitioners is different. NP’s focus on preventing disease, improving wellness, and educating you about your health risks while helping you to make realistic changes that will improve your health. As an advocate and partner in your healthcare NP’s spend more time with you and use that time to listen to your concerns.
Nurse Practitioners
- Graduate from federally accredited graduate level Nursing Schools;
- Attend various clinical rotations in their specialty area;
- Are state licensed after passing state board and national exams;
- Use standardized, science-based methods of medical diagnosis and treatment;
- Consult with and refer to specialty providers;
- Use prescription medicines as well, diet and nutrition, counseling, and exercise therapy;
- Engage you as an advocate for and partner with you health care;
- Include preventive measures to ensure future health and wellness
Nurse Practitioners focus on helping you stay well
Their holistic focus, which looks at the entire person, is well suited to helping an interested individual become healthier. Nurse Practitioners offer screening tests for specific diseases, prescribe medications, treat illness, and administer physical exams. In addition, if you have a health concern that requires further evaluation, or if you are interested in receiving another opinion, NP’s can refer you to other specialists for consults, evaluation and treatment. In addition, NP’s can also prescribe physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, naturopathic and chiropractic care. NP’s are covered by most insurance plans and are licensed to practice independently in whatever specialty area they are trained. In addition Nurse Practitioners have independent prescription writing capability.
Why Choose a Nurse Practitioner?
- NP's give you the information you need to make decisions about your health.
- NP's take the time to listen to your concerns, health and otherwise.
- NP's concentrate on preventing illness rather than just treating its symptoms.
- NP's provide individualized, holistic (all encompassing) care.
What Services do NP's Provide?
- Obtain medical histories and perform physical examinations
- Diagnose and treat illnesses
- Identify and treat chronic health issues such as diabetes, low thyroid and high cholesterol.
- Order and interpret diagnostic tests such as x-rays, blood work, and EKG’s.
- Prescribe medications.
- Prescribe physical therapy, massage therapy, and other rehabilitation therapy.
- Provide education to allow patients to make decisions about their own health.
- Refer to other health care providers.
For more information regarding our philosophies, training, credentialing and licensing, please visit the website of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.