Advance Practice
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) practice in primary care settings and/or specialtly areas. NPs are licensed registered nurses who have completed additional education that allows them to become certified or recognized in Advance Practice.
Advance Practice
What is a Nurse Practitioner?
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are licensed registered nurses who have completed additional education that allows them to become certified or recognized in Advanced Practice. NPs are able to provide healthcare services to patients.
In Texas, NPs are licensed by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON).
The scope of care each NP provides is based upon his/her educational preparation and experience as a nurse practitioner and the accepted scope of practice for his/her particular nurse practice specialty area. NPs provide many of the same healthcare services provided by physicians including:
- Obtaining health histories and performing physical exams
- Ordering and interpreting lab tests and other medical tests
- Diagnosing and treating acute and chronic illnesses
- Prescribing medication
- Referring to other healthcare providers or facilities as appropriate
- Counseling patients and providing teaching on preventative healthcare and the management of healthcare problems.
What kind of education do NPs have?
NPs are registered nurses with master’s degree in nursing and/or a certificate in advance clinical training. In Texas, the advanced clinical training program must be at least one year in length and must be accredited by the BNE or by a national accrediting body recognized by the BNE. Most NPs are nationally certified in their specialty area, requiring recertification every three to five years (depending on the specialty), and most have master’s degrees in nursing. To continue licensure as a registered nurse, an NP must complete a minimum of 20 hours of BNE approved continuing education programming every two years and must complete significantly more continuing education programming to maintain their Advanced Practice certification.
Where can I get more information about NPs and the NPs profession?
Visit following web site for more information about NPs and the NPs profession:
