With health care in America becoming more and more expensive and reform still on the horizon, many people are looking for affordable, but reliable, options to maintaining their well being.   One of the greatest resources in the medical community is that of the nurse practitioner.  Although not doctors, the nurse practitioner is trained and can perform many of the functions that one's personal medical doctor can provide and at a much lower cost.

 

     The International Council of Nurses defines a nurse practitioner (NP) as "a registered nurse who has acquired the expert knowledge base, complex decision-making skills and clinical competencies for expanded practice." NPs have advanced health assessment, decision-making, and diagnostic reasoning skills and, depending upon the rules and regulations of the practice location, NPs usually have the authority to diagnose, prescribe medication and treatment, refer clients to other professionals, and admit patients to a hospital. 

 

     Most NPs are trained in clinical specialties, such as diabetes control, adult health, mental health, geriatrics, etc.  Along with their special field of training, most NPs promote preventative measures to avoiding illness and injury altogether.  Studies show that NPs have a higher success rates in such as getting their patients to take their medications regularly and following dietary regiments, just to name a few.  Many patients found that the NP had more time to listen to their concerns and the care provided was more personal. Many doctors are overburdened with heavy patient lodes and can only spend a certain amount of time with each patient before moving on to their next appointment. 

 

      A major advantage, especially during these rough economic times is the fact that an individual can be treated by a NP at a  lower cost than  most doctors.  Because most physicians have attended college for much longer and tend to be more specialized, their salaries and costs are greater. This is not to say that a doctor can be replaced solely by a nurse practitioner, but it is definitely an affordable, reliable option.  Nurses and physicians have been working side by side for over a century and rely on each as much as we rely on them.