What Can Nurse Practitioners Do? | Tennessee Valley Urology Center

Some time ago we introduced you to nurse practitioners after our office hired its first NP.

To sum it up: Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have advanced education and who participate in further clinical training. While doctors work to combat illness, NPs often take a holistic approach to treatment, taking a patient’s situation and background into account in designing courses of action.

You may wonder what tools nurse practitioners have for creating and developing those treatment plans. Just what can they do in a medical practice and how far beyond the capabilities of RNs do NPs go? Here are some details:

  1. Nurse practitioners can examine patients. They have the approval and the knowledge to complete full examinations, which means you may never see a doctor in some visits to a medical office. That doesn’t mean you’re not getting the care you need or that the doctor doesn’t have time to see you; instead, it just means you’re fortunate to need treatment the NP can handle herself or himself.

  2. Nurse practitioners can make diagnoses. After reviewing and checking your symptoms, an NP has the capability and the approval to tell you what medical condition you’re dealing with. That includes ordering diagnostic tests such as X-rays and lab work.

  3. Nurse practitioners prescribe medication. In 22 states, NPs can practice medicine on their own without having to work in the same office as an MD. Even in states where they can’t, such as Tennessee, they still have prescribing capabilities that enable them to design a course of treatment perfect for your situation.

  4. Nurse practitioners can save you money. According to the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the education and training required for becoming an NP costs less than that mandated for doctors. That often translates into more affordable care for patients and not just those who see the NP; practices with nurse practitioners providing primary care may be able to charge less for doctor services.

Tennessee Valley Urology Center’s dedication to providing you complete, affordable care close to home includes an on-staff nurse practitioner who is eager to provide caring, comprehensive care.