Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced graduate-level education, typically a master’s degree or doctorate in nursing. They are licensed to diagnose and treat illness, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and manage patient care independently or in collaboration with physicians.
The nursing background shapes how they practice. They bring a holistic perspective that considers not just your disease but your daily life, how you’ll actually take those medications, whether you can afford them, whether you understand the instructions, what barriers might prevent you from following through. They spend time educating, counseling, listening. That’s not extra; that’s integral to care.
Many nurse practitioners specialize. Some work in primary care, handling routine checkups, managing chronic diseases, treating common illnesses. Others specialize in areas like cardiology, oncology, or mental health.
They work in hospitals, clinics, urgent care centers, and private practices. Some focus on specific populations: pediatrics, geriatrics, women’s health.
Nurse practitioners can do much of what physicians do. They perform physical exams, order labs and imaging studies, diagnose conditions, develop treatment plans, prescribe medications including controlled substances.
They handle procedures within our scope: suturing wounds, removing lesions, giving injections, inserting IUDs. When cases exceed our expertise, they consult with physicians or refer to specialists.
What distinguishes nurse practitioners is accessibility. They often have more appointment availability than physicians. They may spend longer with patients.
They are trained to collaborate, to be part of a healthcare team rather than the sole authority.
Nurse practitioners expand access to healthcare while maintaining high-quality, patient-centered care.