Happy Nurse Practitioner Week to all our MainStreet & KidsStreet practitioners as well as others across the country!
We believe there’s not enough communication and facts representing the importance, education and care behind a certified Nurse Practitioner. Since we are celebrating Nurse Practitioner week which is recognized across our great country, we thought sharing some information about Nurse Practitioners would be beneficial and a great way to celebrate all Nurse Practitioners!
What exactly is a Nurse practitioners?
A Nurse Practitioner is a registered nurse (RN) with advanced training in diagnosing and treating illness. They have the knowledge and training to manage acute and chronic medical conditions, both physical and mental, through history and physical exam and the ordering of diagnostic tests and medical treatments. NP’s are qualified to diagnose medical problems, order treatments, perform some procedures, prescribe medications, and make referrals for a wide range of acute and chronic medical conditions within their scope of practice which is defined depending on the state. Nurse Practitioners have become an integral part of the medical and health care system, due to the combination of experience and expertise they bring with them. Work experience as a nurse gives them a special approach in providing patient care, while their advanced studies provide the expertise and capability to carry on tasks otherwise assigned to administrators, as they take intense courses on leadership, health care policy, and lobbying. NP’s work in hospitals, private offices, clinics, and nursing homes/long term care facilities.
In the State of Alabama, nurse practitioners are be required to practice under the supervision of a physician. In our MainStreet clinics our Medical Director Dr. Timothy Taylor has hand with each NP. Dr. Taylor works hand and hand with our NP’s and completes chart reviews to ensure proper treatment is practiced.
Many Nurse Practitioners Aren’t Tied to One Area of Expertise
- Medical diagnosis, treatment, evaluation, and management of a wide range of acute and chronic diseases
- Obtaining patient histories and conducting physical examinations
- Requesting diagnostic imaging
- Performing some diagnostic studies (e.g., lab tests and EKGs)
- Requesting physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other rehabilitation treatments
- Prescribing drugs for acute and chronic illness (extent of prescriptive authority varies by state regulations)
- Providing prenatal care and family planning services
- Providing well-child care, including screening and immunizations
- Providing primary and specialty care services, health-maintenance care for adults, including annual physicals
- Providing care for patients in acute and critical care settings and long care facilities
- Performing or assisting in minor surgeries and procedures (e.g., dermatological biopsies/procedures, suturing, casting, etc.)
- Counseling and educating patients on health behaviors, self-care skills, and treatment options in coordination with occupational therapists and other healthcare providers.
Nurse Practitioners have the proper training, education, and knowledge to care for you and your family! Let us introduce you to the two Nurse Practitioners that we have in our Selma clinic!
Natasha Horne, Certified Nurse Practitioner
Melissa Jenkins, Certified Nurse Practitioner
