A medical nurse practitioner has higher training and education in a specific area such as family practice or pediatrics. The majority of these medical professionals have master’s degrees and board certification. Registered nurses are expected to offer care and medical treatment to patients, although the supervision of a doctor may be necessary. A nurse practitioner who pursues an MSN degree will have the leeway to specialize in a specific area of nursing knowledge.
Difference between a Regular Nurse and Nurse Practitioner
It is worth noting that regular nurses provide general treatment, care and handle some tasks an advanced medical nurse practitioner would otherwise perform. For instance, someone with an interest in women’s natural health may choose to pursue nurse midwifery. Earning a Master of Science Degree with a specialization in nursing makes it easier for nurses to educate themselves on the business aspect of the occupation particularly if they have an interest in making an impact in the field of nursing and healthcare industry in general.
Medical Nurse Practitioner – Job Description
Originally, medical nurse practitioners were supposed to take on certain roles that physicians perform, although now they mainly concentrate in improvement of children’s health. The role of nursing practitioners has even become broader than before. Nurse practitioners focus on a variety of specialties like women health nursing, adult care and family care nursing. The role of these medical professionals is mainly to care for people. So, if you thrive in an environment where you are expected to care for people, then you will certainly find that being a nurse practitioner is a highly rewarding profession. Nurse practitioners are expected to have the capacity to solve very complex issues and be compassionate while offering treatment and medical care to patients. In most cases, the programs are available for students with different educational backgrounds. So, if you consider patient care an area of interest to you, then it is a good idea to enroll.
What Exactly do Medical Nursing Practitioners Do?
Nurse practitioners are expected to do the following:
i. Diagnose and offer treatment plans for injuries, acute infections and various illnesses.
ii. Write medical prescriptions that include dosage and the right frequency.
iii. Order or conduct medical tests such as electrocardiograms and x-rays.
iv. Educate patients about effective health management and offering assistance in designing suitable treatment plans while recommending further medical care.
v. Record and assess medical history, symptoms, and diagnoses of patients.
vi. Offer guidance and care to ailing patients particularly with regard to taking medication, mentioning the possible side effects and likely interactions of medications recommended for a patient.
The role of these professionals mainly focuses on holistic, preventative care and personalized treatment of every patient. Since nurse practitioners get their training in specific areas of nursing, they can provide their specialized expertise while still working their regular duties. The role of these medical professionals varies widely, but this is largely determined by their specialty. Some general tasks performed by nursing practitioners include:
i. Treating a variety of illnesses and health conditions.
ii. Counseling patients.
iii. Diagnosing various health conditions.
Rewards of The Profession
A nurse practitioner offering services in the health industry is expected to follow regulations and guidelines. A nurse accredited by the national examination board will normally have additional credentials. So, they can be referred to as Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioners or Certified Family Nurse Practitioners.
Pediatric nurse practitioners take care of the healthcare needs of children, consult doctors or other specialists if necessary. They can additionally treat acute illnesses like ear infections, urinary tract infections and upper respiratory infections. The family nurse practitioners help patients manage chronic illnesses like allergies, asthma, diabetes and lots more.
If you choose to be a medical nurse practitioner, you can be guaranteed that the profession is highly rewarding, offers lots of opportunities that enable you to help others and witness firsthand the impact it creates all over the world. Note that you can choose your area of specialization that you will focus on. Pursuing a career as a nurse practitioner gives you a chance to serve others and make an impact in their lives. With an MSN degree, you are also guaranteed of earning higher salaries and promotions compared to the regular nurses. This is attributable to specialized knowledge acquired.
