Roles & Responsibilities of A Nurse Practitioner

Considering a career as a nurse practitioner? We think it’s an excellent choice. NPs bridge the gap between traditional nursing and advanced medical care, blending critical expertise with a holistic approach to patient well-being. And while you may be more familiar with the role of NPs in a clinical setting, there are a variety of career options for nurse practitioners from research and education to health promotion and advocacy. Let’s explore some of these roles and responsibilities below.

There are several options for achieving board certification as an NP, and the two you may be most familiar with are the AANP and ANCC. You can find out more about the AANP certification exam in a few of our other blog posts, but for now let’s answer some common questions about the ANCC exam.


Table of Contents

Primary Care
Specialties

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)

Lesser Known Career Options


Primary Care
One of the biggest and most important roles of nurse practitioners is providing primary care. Unlike registered nurses, NPs have an expanded scope of practice, allowing them to independently provide a wide range of primary care services. This means they are qualified to provide a wide range of first-contact, comprehensive care including prevention, wellness, and treatment for everyday illnesses. Some specific responsibilities may include:

  • Collecting and recording medical histories from patients and/or their caregivers and family members.
  • Assess symptoms and diagnose medical conditions
  • Order and interpret diagnostic tests and labs
  • Develop treatment plans
  • Provide patient and family education related to medical conditions
  • Prescribe medications

Specialties
In addition to–and sometimes overlapping–primary care abilities of nurse practitioners, there are numerous options for specialization. You may be familiar with the PMHNP or WHNP certifications; these are examples of specialties that NPs can pursue. Let’s take a look at some of these opportunities and what types of responsibilities they entail.

 

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), nearly 70% of nurse practitioners are FNPs. Particularly in rural or underserved areas of the country, FNPs can deliver care at a level traditionally provided by family medicine physicians. In this role, NPs can perform physical exams and health screenings, maintain patient records, develop treatment plans, and provide valuable education to patients and their families. Both AANP and ANCC offer FNP certification exams.

 

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
The role of PNPs is similar to that of FNPs, except in a pediatric population. This typically includes patients up to the age of 18, but in some cases may go to age 16 or even 21. This can include performing physical exams and health screenings, as well as diagnosing and treating conditions. Importantly, PNPs provide childhood immunizations and can play a key role in improving vaccination rates. In some cases, PNPs may work in acute care settings (PNP-AC) such as intensive care units or emergency departments. The CPNP-PC certification is available through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB); similarly, ANCC offers a PPCNP-BC certification.

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Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Psychiatric nurse practitioners work in mental health care. They are trained to identify risk factors for psychiatric conditions, and in some states may be able to diagnose and prescribe medication to treat them. Common settings for this type of care include schools, community health centers, and private practice. Often, PMHNPs work with a psychiatrist. PMHNPs can also develop and contribute to mental health programs that provide education and prevention resources to patients and their families. ANCC currently offers the PMHNP-BC certification, and AANP is in the process of developing a similar exam.

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
WHNPs are nurse practitioners who specialize in women’s health. They can provide care nearly at the level of an OBGYN, and often work under the supervision of one. From reproductive and sexual health resources to annual exams and the diagnosis of gynecological disorders, WHNPs are trained to provide a broad spectrum of care. In some cases, WHNPs may be trained to provide assisted reproductive technologies to couples or individuals who may require them. Many WHNPs work in private practice, fertility clinics, and hospitals. WHNP-BC certifications are available through the National Certification Corporation (NCC).


Lesser Known Career Options
In addition to traditional primary and acute care, nurse practitioners are qualified to pursue a number of other careers that may be less obvious to you. One example of these, which is becoming increasingly popular, is an aesthetic nurse practitioner. Aesthetic NPs typically work in medical spas or dermatology clinics, and specialize in procedures such as varicose vein lasering, tattoo removal, and injectables such as Botox or dermal fillers. Even less clinical are the careers of nurse practitioners who practice as freelance writers or legal consultants. In these roles, NPs can put their clinical knowledge to use and provide expertise to law firms, government agencies, insurance companies, medical journals, pharmaceutical or diagnostic biotechnology companies, and continuing education platforms.

As you’ve just learned, the roles and responsibilities of nurse practitioners are quite diverse and dynamic. As primary care providers, NPs contribute significantly to improving patient outcomes and enhance access to care. Beyond the primary care setting, NPs can provide specialized care ranging from dermatological to gynecological. When it comes to career options, NPs truly know no bounds!

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