What is a Nurse Practitioner?

A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with a graduate degree in nursing, who is prepared for advanced practice in health care across the health continuum. This practice includes independent and interdependent decision-making and direct accountability for clinical judgment.

I. Statement of functions for Nurse Practitioners
   * Elicit a comprehensive health history, including development, maturation, coping ability, activities of daily living, physiological function and emotional and social well-being.
   * Perform a complete physical examination.
   * Order and/or perform pertinent diagnostic tests.
   * Analyze the data collected to determine health status.
   * Formulate a problem list.
   * Develop and implement, with the client, a plan of care to promote, maintain and restore health.
   * Evaluate the client's response to the health care provider and the effectiveness of the care given to the individual.
   * Modify the plan and intervention as needed.
   * Collaborate with other health care professionals in meeting client's health care needs.
   * Refer the client to other health care professionals and agencies as appropriate.
   * Record all pertinent data about the client including the history and physical
examination, problems identified, interventions provided, results of care and plans for follow-up or referral.
   * Coordinate the services required to meet client needs for health care.

II. Educational Preparation
   * A Master's Degree in Nursing and completion of a graduate-level program for nurse practitioners are required for certification
   * Successfully complete an advanced pharmacology class/program.
   * Graduate preparation expanding the comprehensives of the nurse practitioner's role to include participation in use of research, development and implementation of health policy, leadership, education, case management and consultation.

FAMILY CENTERED MEDICINE