Overview
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are Advanced Practice Nurses who provide care to patients throughout the lifespan, from premature newborns to the elderly.
They perform comprehensive and focused physical examinations; diagnose and treat common acute illnesses and injuries; provide immunizations; manage high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and other chronic health problems; order and interpret diagnostic tests such as X-Rays and EKGs, as well as laboratory tests; prescribe medications and therapies, perform procedures, and educate and counsel patients and their families regarding healthy lifestyles and health care options.
NPs can prescribe medications, including controlled substances, in all 50 states. In 25 states, NPs have authority to practice independently.
Additional information about the various types of NP practice can be found at the following websites:
You can download, save and print a PDF of this career profile:
Nurse Practitioner 16 May 2008 [pdf, 166 KB]
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Average Salary:
$74,812
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$0
[*]
Years in school:
6
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8
after high school graduation
Job outlook:
Excellent
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