Nurse practitioners coordinate patient care and may also provide specialty or primary healthcare to patients.
They are also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
APRNs have a variety of responsibilities, including recording the patient’s history and symptoms, performing physical exams, operating medical equipment, and giving treatments to patients.
When needed, nurse practitioners may consult with doctors and other healthcare providers.
They may work independently or in collaboration with physicians.
Some states allow nurse practitioners to also prescribe medication and to order medical tests and diagnose health problems.
Nurse practitioners may specialize in working with a specific population group; for example, some work exclusively in geriatric healthcare while others work only in pediatrics.