Nurse Practitioners are registered nurses with graduate education in nursing. Most NPs have a master’s degree, which requires two years of full-time study beyond the bachelor’s degree in nursing. NPs specialize in pediatrics, adult, family and women’s primary care, geriatrics, occupational health, psychiatric/mental health, and acute care. Sub-specialty preparation is also available (i.e., oncology).

 

Nurse practitioners perform physical examinations, diagnose and treat common acute illnesses and injuries, provide immunizations; manage high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and other chronic health problems; order and interpret diagnostic tests such as X-Rays and EKGs, as well as laboratory tests; prescribe medications and therapies, perform procedures, and educate and counsel patients and their families regarding healthy lifestyles and health care options.

 

NPs can prescribe medications, including controlled substances, in all 50 states. In 25 states, NPs have authority to practice independently.

 

For information about schools offering graduate programs leading to a career as a nurse practitioner, visit the American College of Nurse Practitioners Web site at www.acnpweb.org.

 

For information about nursing studies offered at USU, click here for the Nursing page.