Family nurse practitioners (NPs) are an important link in the primary health care chain. The American Nurses Association estimates that NPs are qualified to provide up to 80 percent of a family's primary and preventative medical care. Many work in doctor's offices, at health maintenance organizations and in urgent care facilities. They provide a convenient, more affordable option for basic medical care.
Definition
An NP is a registered nurse who receives advanced training, according to the Mayo Clinic. This includes post-graduate schooling and clinical training that prepares them to treat families for general medical conditions. They can perform many of the same functions as a family physician. These include doing physical exams, reading X-rays and laboratory results, diagnosing illnesses, prescribing medications and providing wellness counseling and education. They refer their patients to doctors if more advanced care is needed. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) states there were 135,000 NPs in the the United States as of 2010.
History
The Mayo Clinic explains that family nurse practitioners first began providing health care in the 1960s. There was a nationwide shortage of doctors in the United States, so the University of Colorado instituted an NP program that had its first graduates in 1965, according to AANP. These nurses filled in by providing family health care and other services, such as acute care.
Qualifications
AANP explains that all NPs go through focused training programs. Most earn a master's degree and some go on to get doctorates. They can choose various specialties, including family practice. They are required to get a license in all 50 states and the District of Columbia before they can see patients.
Advantages
Families receive many advantages when they receive their primary health care from an NP. Sean Parnell, a writer for Health Care News, explains that their rates are lower than a physician's. Many work in urgent care clinics where people can be seen quickly for minor injuries and ailments rather than making a doctor appointment or waiting in a hospital emergency room. NP Central, a non-profit organization that supports NPs, explains that most take a holistic approach and help individuals and families make lifestyle changes to promote better health.
Warning
NPs are competent medical professionals who are qualified to give general family care. However, Dr. Joe Davison, president of the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians, warns that they are not a direct substitute for doctors. Physicians receive more advanced training that allows them to diagnose and treat tricky or unusual conditions. Dr. Davisdon states that NPs function as en extension of doctors rather than replacing them.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Nurse Practitioner Career Overview
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners: Frequently Asked Questions
- Wichita Business Journal: Use of nurse practitioners, physician assistants growing trend in Wichita Read more: Use of Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants Growing Trend in Wichita
- Heartland Institute: Nurse Practitioners Offer Effective, Low-Cost Care
- NP Central: Nurse Practitioners: Commonly Asked Questions
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