What is an NP?
A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse licensed to provide healthcare who is held to the same legal and ethical standards of care as physicians. Nurse Practitioners have a commitment to giving personalized, quality health care to all. Nurse practitioners are dedicated to bridging the gaps in healthcare to meet the needs of patients in Maryland.
Scope of Practice
A nurse practitioner provides medical care to patients across the life span with a focus on health promotion and disease prevention. Nurse practitioners work independently and in collaboration with physicians. Nurse practitioners work in both rural and urban settings. They provide health care to people of all ages and in diverse health care settings, such as private office practice, hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools, state and local health departments, and managed care facilities.
Nurse practitioner specialties include acute care, adult, family, gerontology, neonatal, occupational health, pediatrics, psychiatric/mental health, school, and women’s health (Ob-Gyn).
A nurse practitioner is a health care provider who:
• performs history and physical exams
• diagnoses and treats medical problems
• orders and interprets diagnostic and laboratory tests
• educates and counsels individuals, families and groups,
• provides health care maintenance exams such as immunizations and well-child care.
Education
Nurse Practitioners in Maryland are required to have education as a nurse and to have graduated with a Masters Degree as a nurse practitioner or to have completed a Post-Master’s certificate as a nurse practitioner.
Licensure
Nurse practitioners are licensed by the Maryland State Board of Nurses. In order to be registered, the applicant must graduate from a nurse practitioner program approved by the Board of Nursing. They are also required to have proof of certification from one of the national credentialing organizations that test nurse practitioners in an area of specialization.
Other Facts about Nurse Practitioners:
• Nurse Practitioners make many contributions to the health and well-being of the people in the communities they serve
• There are now more than 140,000 Nurse Practitioners serving the American public and more than 3,000 NPs in Maryland alone.
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The latest data indicates the following breakdown for NPs in Maryland: Family NP - 997, Adult NP - 899, Pediatric NP - 459, Acute Care NP - 295, Women’s Health -188, Geriatric NP - 146, Neonatal - 123, PMH - 74 and Acute Care Pediatrics - 16
• Nurse practitioners also improve the health care system's ability to reach underserved populations. Primary health care is desperately needed in many urban and central city communities
• More than 20 percent of nurse practitioners practice in rural settings with populations of less than 25,000, and of the 62 percent who work in cities with populations of more than 50,000, more than 39 percent work in inner-city areas
• Nurse Practitioners play a critical role in meeting Maryland’s medical needs. Working hand-in-hand with other professionals, Nurse Practitioners improve the flexibility and responsiveness and efficiency of our health care system. Because of their focus on primary care, disease prevention, and counseling, Nurse Practitioners serve as health care first responders for many families. From weight management, blood pressure, dangerous infections, injuries, Nurse Practitioners have the frontline view of health care in the country.
Nurse Practitioners bring a unique holistic approach to patients and stress care, cure and maintaining a healthy life style. Clinical nurse practitioner care includes health promotion, disease prevention, health education and counseling as well as the diagnosis and management of acute and primary diseases.
Providing excellent health care since their inception at the University of Colorado in 1965, NP's have become a recognized part of the health care system.
What Is The Difference Between a Nurse Practitioner and A Physician Assistant?
Although both professionals may manage patient care in similar settings, the physicians assistant has educational preparation, focus and supervision dissimilar to the nurse practitioner.
Physician1 Assistants are educated at various levels including certificate completion, bachelors degree or master's degree. They are nationally accredited by the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants and are re-credentialed by exam every 6 years.
Physician Assistants work directly under the aegis of a physician who dictates their state-approved scope of practice. The broad range of clinical tasks that the PA may provide can include: patient histories and physicals, diagnostic testing and interpretation, initiation and management of routine chronic and acute health problems, prescribing medications, health screenings, patient/family counselling and education, assisting in surgery, post-operative procedures and family planning.
In Maryland, physician assistants are certified, but not licensed by the Maryland Board of Physicians. They enter into a Delegation Agreement with a supervising physician that spells out the working conditions under which the PA will practice and their level of supervision and intervention. Supervision by the physician must be on-site or immediately available in writing or by electronic means. Physician Assistants are trained in the medical model of practice of diagnosis and cure.
There are 1,800 PA's certified in Maryland and 90% practice in Baltimore, Washington and the DC suburbs.
Read more about Nurse Practitioners in Maryland in our Media Packet.
Sources:
American Nurses' Credentialing Center Website - Choose your Specialty Tab
American Association of Nurse Practitioners Frequently Asked Questions - ANCC Website 2008
Larson, C. (2008. August 9). Yes, the P.A. Will See You Now. The New York Times, p. BU10.
Maryland Nurse Practitioner Scope and Standards of Practice - COMAR 10.27.07.02 - Amended 1994
Maryland Academy of Physician Assistants Web Site, 2008Maryland Board of Physicians Assistant Scope of Practice - COMAR 10.32.03.02
