 SCOPE
OF PRACTICE FOR NURSE PRACTITIONERS
Professional Role
Nurse Practitioners are
primary health care providers who practice in ambulatory, acute, and long term
care settings. According to their practice specialty these primary care
providers provide nursing and medical services to individuals, families, and
groups. In addition to diagnosing and managing acute episodic and chronic
illnesses, NPs emphasize health promotion and disease prevention. Services
include, but are not limited to, ordering, conducting, and interpreting
diagnostic and laboratory tests, and prescription of pharmacologic agents and
nonpharmacologic therapies. Teaching and counseling individuals, families, and
groups are a major part of nurse practitioner practice.
Nurse Practitioners
practice autonomously and in collaboration with health care professionals and
other individuals to diagnose, treat, and manage the patient's health
problems. They serve as health care researchers, interdisciplinary
consultants, and patient advocates.
Education
Entry level preparation
for NP practice is a master's degree. Didactic and clinical courses prepare
nurses with specialized knowledge and clinical competency to practice as
primary, acute, and long term health care providers. Self-directed continued
learning and professional development beyond the formal advanced education is
essential to maintain clinical competency.
Accountability
The autonomous nature of
the Nurse Practitioner's advanced clinical practice requires accountability
for health care outcomes. Insuring the highest quality of care requires
certification, periodic peer review, clinical outcome evaluations, a code for
ethical practice, evidence of continuing professional development, and
maintenance of clinical skills. Nurse Practitioners are committed to seeking
and sharing knowledge that promotes quality health care and improves clinical
outcomes. This is accomplished by leading and participating in both
professional and lay health care forums, conducting research, and applying
findings to clinical practice.
Responsibility
The role of the nurse
practitioner continues to evolve in response to changing societal and health
care needs. As leaders in primary and acute health care, Nurse Practitioners
combine the roles of provider, mentor, educator, researcher, and
administrator. Members of the profession are responsible for advancing the
role of the nurse practitioner and insuring that the standards of the
profession are maintained. This is accomplished through involvement in
professional organizations and participation in health policy activities at
the local, state, national, and international levels.
©
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 1992. Revised 1993, 1998. All
rights reserved.
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