What is a Nurse Practitioner: Roles, Responsibilities, and Qualifications

Is your Google broken? An advanced practice provider like a nurse practitioner (NP) is someone who has a master’s degree or a doctoral degree in nursing, and is equipped to perform the majority of the same functions that a doctor can do. As a nurse practitioner in the ICU, I can prescribe medications, assess patients, diagnose illness, perform invasive procedures such as intubation, and run a code when someone’s heart stops.

A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse (RN) who has completed advanced education and training. NPs are qualified to perform many of the same functions as physicians, including:

Assessment and Diagnosis

NPs can conduct physical exams, take medical histories, and diagnose health conditions. They can:

Identify symptoms and signs of illness Order diagnostic tests Diagnose medical conditions based on the patient's history and test results

Treatment

NPs can develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and provide patient education. They can:

Develop individualized treatment plans for patients Prescribe medications for acute and chronic conditions Offer ongoing patient education on managing health conditions

Specialization

Many NPs specialize in areas such as family practice, pediatrics, geriatrics, psychiatry, and women's health. They can:

Focus on specific populations or health issues Provide comprehensive care for patients in these areas

Collaboration and Independence

NPs often work in collaboration with physicians and other healthcare professionals, but they can also practice independently in many states. They can provide primary and specialty care in various settings, including:

Hospitals Clinics Private practices

The role of an NP is critical in addressing healthcare shortages and providing comprehensive patient care. As a nurse practitioner, I perform the same duties as the doctors I work with. I assess patients, diagnose them, order drugs, treatments, and tests, and evaluate the results. I can perform intubation, insert central lines and arterial lines, place chest tubes, admit and discharge patients, and write prescriptions. Our roles and responsibilities vary depending on our work setting.

The procedures we perform can range from simple to complex. For instance, as an ICU nurse practitioner, I am credentialed to perform intricate procedures such as thoracic thoracentesis and paracentesis. However, since we do these procedures infrequently, we may not be credentialed or feel comfortable doing them independently. In contrast, in a unit that sees a high frequency of liver failure cases, an NP would likely handle those duties.

In conclusion, a nurse practitioner is a highly qualified and versatile healthcare provider who plays a crucial role in patient care. Whether working in collaboration with physicians or independently, NPs are essential in delivering quality care and addressing the diverse healthcare needs of their patients.