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Nurse Practitioner, or NP, is the
name given to a nurse with advanced
training who has traditionally been
engaged in direct patient care in a
primary care setting. The role was
originally developed to increase
access to primary health care and to
address physician shortages. The
first nurse practitioner program was
started in Denver, Colorado in the
1960's. Nurse Practitioners now hold
a masters degree in nursing which is
usually in a specialty such as
family practice, pediatrics, or
neonatology.
The function of an Nurse
Practitioner is to provide a full
range of primary healthcare services
with a holistic patient and family
focus. Nurse Practitioners can treat
acute and chronic conditions as well
as conduct physicals, perform a
number of procedures, and prescribe
medications. |