As consumers are increasingly consulting with or being treated by a nurse practitioner, they may be curious about (or lack information on) what a nurse practitioner does generally, and what capabilities they have. In fact, 60% of U.S. adults admitted that they have no idea what a nurse practitioner’s capabilities are, or they could not articulate them. It may be time to brush up on that knowledge: who is the nurse practitioner?
Nurse practitioners practice in a number of settings including private physician or NP practices, retail-based clinics (such as national chain drugstores), hospitals, nursing homes, public health departments and more. Among their many services, nurse practitioners: order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x-rays; diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, infections and injuries; prescribe medications and other treatments; and manage a patient’s care.
Here are some other facts about nurse practitioners from CRN:
97% of nurse practitioners agree that in order for healthcare in the U.S. to improve, it’s important that all Americans take responsibility for their own health.
82% of nurse practitioners agree that there are gaps in their patients’ diets that could effectively be addressed with dietary supplements.
59% of nurse practitioners believe that in the next five years, Americans will take measurable steps to improve their wellness habits.
83% of nurse practitioners agree it’s a good idea for patients to take multivitamins.
58% of nurse practitioners agree that patients have a good understanding of actionable steps they can take to improve their overall wellness.
Nurse practitioners agree that the following are major barriers to Americans being healthy:
Stress of daily lives caused by demanding jobs and hectic lifestyles (96%);
Not getting enough rest (94%);
Staying indoors and not getting enough physical activity due to weather (89%);
Overindulging during the holidays or on vacation (76%); and
Not being able to find healthy food while on the road (72%).
As Americans take more responsibility for proactively staying healthy, it is important that they understand the different options they have available to them when they are choosing a healthcare practitioner.