I previously did a post asking what a FS Medical Provider is here, and I would imagine if you stumbled on this blog, you are likely an NP/PA yourself, or at least thinking of becoming one. That said, I have gotten a few FS Generalist hopefuls that have stumbled on this blog, and I get asked by my own patients (what is a Nurse Practitioner?), so I figured it might be worthwhile to write something up explaining the role.

The textbook answer is a Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse with graduate education/training of at least a Master’s Degree in advance practice nursing. Still have no clue what that means? I don’t blame you, our national organizations don’t do a great job articulating our role very well to the public. What that practically means is that an NP is a healthcare provider similar to a physician or a physician’s assistant that has been given extra education and training to assess, diagnose, and treat patients in a variety of clinical settings like an office or hospital.

There are a variety of specialty degrees to choose from as an NP. For example, I have a certification and degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner, and a post masters certification as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Other specialties include pediatrics, psychiatry, and women’s health. Regardless of your specialty, once you finish your graduate studies, you are required to take a national certification exam, and then get licensed in your specific state of practice. You typically also have to get a DEA license and register with a state pharmacy board to prescribe.

Different states have different regulations, but NP’s are allowed to practice in all 50 states (plus DC and territories), performing assessments, doing procedures, ordering diagnostic tests, and prescribing medications for their patients. For the average person, it’s pretty hard to distinguish if you have been treated by an NP, PA, or MD/DO, especially in primary or urgent care settings. Some states (about half) require physician collaboration or supervision for NP’s, while the remaining states allow NP’s to practice independently. For example, in Texas, I have a collaborative agreement with a physician I have worked with for many years, but for my main job in New Mexico, I practice independently without a physician overseeing my work.

So there we have it, to put it simply, an NP is basically a super nurse that functions in a role more closely resembling a physician than a bedside nurse. Next time you find yourself in an urgent care, hospital ER, or just about anywhere else in healthcare, there’s a good chance you are being treated by an NP and you didn’t even realize it. Hopefully this explained things a bit better.

*Of Note: The foreign service only hires NP’s certified as Family Nurse Practitioners. Any other certs won’t be considered.