Nurse practitioner (NP)

A nurse practitioner, also known as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), is a person who works closely with and who can perform many of the same functions as a physician. Nurse practitioners provide individualized, preventative health care, can see patients of all ages, and may even serve as a primary health care provider. They tend to focus more on wellness and prevention, while educating patients and their families about a particular condition.

You’ll find a nurse practitioner primarily in hospitals, but also in health departments, clinics, schools, home health care organizations, and nursing homes. Many have specialized in a certain area of the medical field, such as neonatal care, women’s health, pediatric health, or psychiatric health.

Their scope of practice includes:

• Diagnosing and treating common medical problems, as well as acute and chronic illnesses
• Referring patients to specialists
• Prescribing medications and therapies (physical, rehabilitative, etc.)
• Ordering and performing lab tests
• Administering annual physicals and medical exams
• Performing procedures such as skin biopsies, suturing, cryotherapy (application of cold to remove damaged tissues), and casting

Education

A nurse practitioner has the same education as a registered nurse, which requires an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) and a bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN), or a hospital-based diploma program with experience in patient care during the program. What distinguishes one from the other is a nurse practitioner has completed a master’s or even doctoral degree.

Laser Spine Institute

You’ll find that any nurse practitioner at Laser Spine Institute is committed to providing consistent and thorough patient care. Our health care experts are part of a courteous and professional team, dedicated to make sure your medical procedure and overall experience with us goes smoothly. Contact Laser Spine Institute to learn more about whether our minimally invasive procedures can help you rediscover your life without back and neck pain.