Nurse practitioners serve as primary and specialty care providers. They treat and care for patients with a broad range of health issues.

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have additional training. They see patients for a variety of issues as well as general check-ups. They treat patients and prescribe certain medications.

Nurse practitioners may specialize in areas such as:

• Emergency care
• Family medicine
• Pediatrics
• Women's health
• Geriatrics

Nurse practitioners get information from patients about their medical history. They examine patients and discuss any problems. They also order x-rays and other tests and interpret their results. When needed, they prescribe some medicines or treatments.

Nurse practitioners talk to patients about healthy lifestyles and ways to manage chronic conditions. Sometimes they refer patients to doctors or specialists.

Nurse practitioners usually work with other nurses and medical office staff. They dictate notes about their visits with patients. They often are part of a larger medical practice.