What is a Nurse Practitioner?

A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse who has completed advanced education (a minimum of a Master's Degree) and training in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses. As defined by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, NPs are licensed independent practitioners who practice in ambulatory, acute and long term care as primary and/or specialty care providers. NPs can provide nursing and medical services to groups, families, and individuals. NPs assess, diagnose and treat acute and chronic illnesses. The heart of the NP role, however, is to provide counseling and education about health maintenance and disease prevention.

NPs are individually licensed and can practice autonomously. An NP can serve as a patient's regular health care provider.

 

 



What is my professional philosophy?

The nurse practitioner role is grounded in the art and science of nursing, therefore, in order to understand the role, one must first explore the meta-paradigm of nursing. Four concepts constitute the nursing meta-paradigm: person, health, environment, and nursing. In order to provide holistic care for a person, the nurse must be aware of the factors that influence the individual and the ways in which these are impacting that person at that particular time and place. Each person is a valuable entitiy and should be treated with respect. Health is defined by the individual; it is subjective. The individual’s definition of health is not static in nature; rather, it is subject to change as the individual is faced with different life experiences.   Environment is defined by internal and external factors that affect a person’s life.  Nursing is the art and science of health promotion, disease prevention, and assisting others in reaching and maintaining a defined state of wellness when they are unable to do so alone.  

An individual is impacted by the interaction of the economic, psychosocial, psychological, environmental, physical, and spiritual factors of their life. The nurse understands that the patient’s current defined state of wellness is variable, and is influenced by life experiences. The NP assists and supports the individual to regain and maintain wellness through holistic care, critical thinking, diversity in approach to illness/wellness management, and expert clinical skills. The NP is an ethical and knowledgeable leader and counselor who respects and cares for the individual regardless of their circumstance.

 

 

 

 





 

See Kendra's Conceptual Model for the Nurse Practitioner.

 

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