All NPs must complete a master’s or doctoral degree program and have advanced clinical training beyond their initial professional registered nurse (RN) preparation. Didactic and clinical courses prepare nurses with specialized knowledge and clinical competency to practice in primary care, acute care and long-term health care settings.

Autonomously and in collaboration with health care professionals and other individuals, NPs provide a full range of primary, acute and specialty health care services, including:

• Ordering, performing and interpreting diagnostic tests such as lab work and x-rays.
• Diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, infections and injuries.
• Prescribing medications and other treatments.
• Managing patients’ overall care.
• Counseling.
• Educating patients on disease prevention and positive health and lifestyle choices.

Specialty areas include:

• Acute Care.
• Adult Health.
• Family Health.
• Gerontology Health.
• Neonatal Health.
• Oncology.
• Pediatric/Child Health.
• Psychiatric/Mental Health.
• Women’s Health.

Sub-specialty areas include:

• Allergy and Immunology.
• Cardiovascular.
• Dermatology.
• Emergency.
• Endocrinology.
• Gastroenterology.
• Hematology and Oncology.
• Neurology.
• Occupational Health.
• Orthopedics.
• Pulmonology and Respiratory.
• Sports Medicine.
• Urology.

• NP Credibility: NPs are more than just health care providers; they are mentors, educators, researchers and administrators. Their involvement in professional organizations and participation in health policy activities at the local, state, national and international levels helps to advance the role of the NP and ensure that professional standards are maintained.
• Lower Health Care Costs: By providing high-quality care and counseling, NPs can lower the cost of health care for patients. For example, patients who see NPs as their primary care provider often have fewer emergency room visits, shorter hospital stays and lower medication costs.
• Patient Satisfaction: With more than 1.06 billion visits made to NPs each year, patients report an extremely high level of satisfaction with the care they receive.
• Primary Care Shortage Solution: By offering high-quality, cost-effective, patient-centered health care, NPs provide more than 355,000 solutions to the primary care shortage facing America today.