Over the last few years there has been a steady growth of skilled nurses with advanced degrees. In just 4 years, that number has grown to 43. Twelve are working in the Clinical Center and 31 are employed within seven of the institutes. In general, nurse practitioners are nurses who hold a master's degree in nursing. Most are credentialed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center in specialty areas such as adult, pediatrics, family and acute care.
Different states have different statutory definitions of a nurse practitioner.
Nurse practitioners can perform history and physical exams, diagnose disease, order, perform and interpret laboratory, radiographic and other diagnostic tests and prescribe and dispense medications. In some states, nurse practitioners can practice independently. Historically, nurse practitioners have filled the gap in health care delivery to the underserved such as those living in rural areas, on reservations and in the inner cities. History of Nurse Practitioners at NIH The Pediatric Branch of the National Cancer Institute was the first to hire nurse practitioners in the early 1980's. Their primary role was and continues to be management of pediatric oncology patients.