Nurse practitioners

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice nurses who integrate clinical skills associated with nursing and medicine in order to assess, diagnose and manage patients in primary health care settings and acute care populations, as well as ongoing care for populations with chronic illness.

Nurse practitioners Responsibilities

• Recording a patient’s medical history
• Updating medical records
• Documenting symptoms
• Collecting samples (blood, urine, mucus, stool, etc.)
• Ordering lab tests or diagnostic procedures as necessary
• Performing detailed examinations of the patient
• Creating and implementing treatment plans
• Coordinating with other medical professionals and specialists as necessary
• Prescribing medications
• Performing small medical procedures
• Managing other nurses, such as CNAs, LPNs, and RNs
• Monitoring patients to determine if treatment is successful and, if not, to identify which adjustments might be made

Important NP skills

Strong communication skills, Great leadership skills, Analytical skills, Exhibit patience under stress, Take initiatives.