What is a Nurse Practitioner?
A Nurse Practitioners (NP) is a Registered Nurse (RN) with additional education and clinical training in diagnosing and treating illness. An NP may work independently or in partnership with other expert health care providers, such as Osteopaths (D.O.s), Medical Doctors (M.D.s), and Physician Assistants (PAs). Each of these unique professionals is state licensed and fills an import role in health care. NPs provide quality care, resulting in high patient satisfaction and excellent health outcomes.*
A Family Nurse Practitioner is a unique health care provider who...
- Diagnoses and manages acute and chronic disease
- Performs physical examinations
- Orders and interprets diagnostic and laboratory tests
- Prescribes medication, treatments and therapies to manage disease
- Emphasizes health promotion and disease prevention
- Stays informed of current health research and treatment options
- Participates in professional activities to promote health & improve health policy
- Has a masters degree or higher in professional nursing
- Has passed a nationally standardized board examination in family practice
- Cares for communities, families and individuals of all ages
Credentials Decoded - Mark Anstadt, RN, MN, FNP-BC, ARNP
Registered Nurse
Masters in Nursing
Family Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (title associated with WA state NP license)
What is the difference between an NP and a PA?
NP's and PA's are both health care providers with education and training in diagnosing and treating disease. They share the purpose of expanding the affordability of and access to high quality health care. They differ primarily in educational models and professional oversight.
NP education and practice is regulated by nursing associations, whereas PA education and regulation is managed by state medical boards. NPs are prepared through their education to obtain certification in a specialty area, such as family, adult, gerontology, mental health or pediatrics. PAs are educated as generalist and sometimes specialize afterwards, but do not have formal educational programs or board certifications for these specialties. Both provide high quality, cost effective care and are vital to increasing health care access.
New York Times article discussing the difference between NPs and PAs
* References for NP outcome studies available at: http://www.acnpweb.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3321