Question
My ob-gyn doctor's office recently added a nurse practitioner. Can you tell me more about their qualifications and what they do?
Answer
A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse who has advanced education and training in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic medical conditions, disease prevention, and the promotion of health and wellness. Nurse practitioners must complete a master's or doctoral degree and receive additional medical training beyond their initial training as a registered nurse. Many NPs are nationally certified. NPs have been delivering high quality health care for over 40 years.
Nurse practitioners function in both primary care and specialty areas. They work both independently and collaboratively with physicians and other health care providers. In the field of OB/GYN, a nurse practitioner may serve as your regular health care provider.