I get asked this question all of the time and I often think people don’t understand the role of a Nurse Practitioner. Let’s clear this up!  First, a Nurse Practitioner (NP) is also a Registered Nurse (RN). I think this is where it gets confusing. To become a RN, one must achieve a 2-year Associate Degree or a 4-year Bachelor Degree in Nursing and pass a national exam. RNs then work under the supervision of a Medical Doctor (MD) or a Nurse Practitioner. RNs work in the hospital, in outpatient clinics, home care, etc. providing medical treatments or medications ordered by a MD/NP. They also provide education, explanations, and help to coordinate the care of patients. They are not licensed to diagnose diseases, order prescriptions, order testing, or interpret testing. When people call me a nurse, I am never offended, as that is a true statement. But, I don’t think they realize that being a NP allows me to offer much more.

A RN may continue her/his education to become a NP. This requires achieving a Masters degree in Nursing and will likely soon require a Doctorate degree. The extent of care NPs are licensed to perform varies from state to state. In Indiana, a NP must have a collaborative agreement with a MD in order to write prescriptions.The MD will review and sign 5% of charts on which the NP writes a prescription medication. If a NP does not wish to write any prescriptions, she/he is not required to have a collaborative agreement in our state. In my practice, where I write very few prescriptions, my collaborator is required to sign only a few charts. NPs in most states are trained to order and interpret medical tests, make diagnoses of diseases, and write prescriptions. NPs will refer to specialists when they feel a patient’s condition requires specialized care. NPs in Indiana can have an independent practice, as long as there is a collaborative agreement for writing prescriptions.

Well, there you have it.  Does that help?  What other questions do you have?  I would love for you to ask questions or comment below and for you to share this with others who may also be confused.  If you would like to see a NP at work in private practice first hand, you can schedule an appointment with me today here!