A nurse practitioner (NP) is a nurse with a graduate degree in advanced practice nursing.
InformationThe NP is allowed to provide a broad range of health care services, which may include:
Nurse practitioners work in a variety of settings, including:
Some nurse practitioners work in clinics without doctor supervision. Others work together with doctors as a joint health care team. Their scope of practice and authority depends on state laws. For example, some states allow nurse practitioners to write prescriptions, while other states do not.
Like many other professions, nurse practitioners are regulated at two different levels. They are licensed through a process that takes place at the state level under state laws. They are certified through national organizations, with consistent professional practice standards across all states.
LICENSURE
The laws on NP licensure vary greatly from state to state. Today, more states are requiring NPs to have a master's degree and national certification.
In some states, NP practice is completely independent. Other states require that NPs work with an MD for prescriptive practice privileges or to get licensed. A few states still do not have specific nurse practitioner licenses or recognize practice by NPs.
CERTIFICATION
National certification is offered through various nursing organizations (such as the American Nurses' Association, Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, and others). Most of these organizations require that NPs complete an approved master's-level NP program before taking the certification exam. The exams tend to be offered in specialty areas, such as:
To be recertified, NPs need to show proof of continuing education. Only certified nurse practitioners may use a "C" either in front of or behind their other credentials (e.g., Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, FNP-C, Certified Family Nurse Practitioner). Some nurse practitioners may use the credential APN rather than NP. This indicates an advanced practice nurse -- a broader category that also includes clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists.
A nurse practitioner (NP) is a nurse with a graduate degree in advanced practice nursing.
See also: Types of health care providers
InformationThe NP is allowed to provide a broad range of health care services, which may include:
Nurse practitioners work in a variety of settings, including:
Some nurse practitioners work in clinics without doctor supervision. Others work together with doctors as a joint health care team. Their scope of practice and authority depends on state laws. For example, some states allow nurse practitioners to write prescriptions, while other states do not.
Like many other professions, nurse practitioners are regulated at two different levels. They are licensed through a process that takes place at the state level under state laws. They are certified through national organizations, with consistent professional practice standards across all states.
LICENSURE
The laws on NP licensure vary greatly from state to state. Today, more states are requiring NPs to have a master's degree and national certification.
In some states, NP practice is completely independent. Other states require that NPs work with an MD for prescriptive practice privileges or to get licensed. A few states still do not have specific nurse practitioner licenses or recognize practice by NPs.
CERTIFICATION
National certification is offered through various nursing organizations (such as the American Nurses' Association, Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, and others). Most of these organizations require that NPs complete an approved master's-level NP program before taking the certification exam. The exams tend to be offered in specialty areas, such as:
To be recertified, NPs need to show proof of continuing education. Only certified nurse practitioners may use a "C" either in front of or behind their other credentials (e.g., Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, FNP-C, Certified Family Nurse Practitioner). Some nurse practitioners may use the credential APN rather than NP. This indicates an advanced practice nurse -- a broader category that also includes clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 07/22/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Yes the NP can; as the NP has a RN.
NP = "Nurse Practitioner."
Nurse Practitioner
NP most commonly means nurse practitioner. It may also mean neuropsychiatric.
The full form of np is 1-notary public 2-naturopathic physician 3- nurse practitioner
A PA is a Physician Assistant, the C means that a national certification exam was taken and passed. An NP is a Nurse Practitioner.
To be a Nurse practitioner you have to actually have a bachelor's degree in Nursing or related field. Your LPN experience or clinical hours will help you when it comes to fulfiling required clinical hours for NP program. You need to get your bachelor's because NP is considered a Master's program.
In the United States, the abbreviation is CNM, for certified nurse-midwife. In Canada, the abbreviation is RM, for registered midwife (though this differs from the U.S. because it can apply to non-nurse midwives.)
It could be NP (typically a masters degree), or DNP (doctorate in nursing).
BC after an NP's name means s/he is board certified.
A NP or Nurse Practitioner in pediatrics can diagnosis, provide maintenance care, prescribe, medications, order lab test and x-rays.
No a NP is not trained to do surgery, you need a qualified physician but many doctors have a NP assist during C-sections.