Nurse Practitioners: The Future of Practical Healthcare

This week we'll be profiling Nurse Practitioners (NPs), a group of seriously dedicated & knowledgeable professionals who help millions of Americans each year get & stay healthy. As this week (November 8 - 14, 2015) is Nurse Practitioner Week in the US, we here at Enky thought we should join the chorus of voices celebrating & honoring this fast-growing & increasingly beneficial profession. NPs are a type of Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) that have trained through graduate education & national as well as state certification to be able to perform nearly all the duties that physicians can. NPs can prescribe medication in all 50 states & Washington DC, as well as being able to treat patients for a wide variety of maladies. Nurse Practitioners can specialize in many directions as well, including psychiatric, women's health, pediatric, & emergency care.

Nurse Practitioners have existed in the US for 50 years now & the national profile of these professionals has never been higher. As we move into the 21st Century & healthcare becomes more advanced & increasingly less affordable to a multitude of American citizens, Nurse Practitioners can be bulwark against the loss of good healthcare coverage for these people. Unfortunately, many states have antiquated laws & regulations handcuffing NPs from performing in their jobs to the fullest extent of their significant abilities. These professionals, who are extremely well trained & very dedicated to their patients, need to be able to perform the full scope of activities that a similarly trained physician can. A change in regulations to this effect would help reduce costs & increase positive health outcomes for a substantial group of under-served patients. If you are interested in advocating for these patient & NP rights, the AANP has a list of campaigns to support. To learn more about NPs in general & how you can enter this rewarding profession, take a look at our infographic below & keep tuning in to our social media pages all week for more great info!

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