Advanced practice nurses are expert clinicians engaged in active practice. The advanced practice nurse demonstrates leadership as a consultant, educator, administrator and researcher. An important leadership function of all advanced practice nurses is participation in legislative and professional activities to promote professional advancement and health related social policies. The nurse practitioner is a unique health care provider within the constellation of advanced practice nurses. Nurse practitioners engage in advanced practice in a variety of specialty areas, such as family, adult, pediatric, gerontologic, women's health, school health, occupational health, mental health, emergency and acute care.
Nurse practitioners assess and manage both medical and nursing problems.
Their practice emphasizes health promotion and maintenance, disease prevention and the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic diseases. This includes taking histories, conducting physical examinations, ordering, performing and interpreting appropriate diagnostic and laboratory tests, prescription of pharmacological agents, treatments and nonpharmacological therapies for the management of the conditions which they diagnose. The nurse practitioner serves as a primary care provider and consultant for individuals, families and communities in a variety of ambulatory and inpatient settings. American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. All rights reserved.