An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) with specialized education and training, authorized to provide comprehensive healthcare services, including diagnosis, treatment, and preventive care.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN):

A nurse with advanced education and clinical training, including NPs, certified nurse-midwives, clinical nurse specialists, and certified registered nurse anesthetists.

Primary Care Provider:

A healthcare professional, often an NP, who serves as the main point of contact for patients, delivering a wide range of healthcare services and coordinating specialized care when needed.

Holistic Care:

An approach to patient care by NPs that considers the physical, emotional, and social aspects of health, focusing on the overall well-being of the individual.

Collaborative Care:

The practice of NPs working collaboratively with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive and coordinated patient care.

Scope of Practice:

The range of services and interventions that NPs are educated, certified, and authorized to perform, which may vary based on state regulations and individual training.

Prescriptive Authority:

The legal permission granted to NPs to prescribe medications, including controlled substances, within their scope of practice.

Continuing Education:

Ongoing professional development activities that NPs engage in to stay current with advances in healthcare, maintain licensure, and enhance their clinical skills.

Certification:

Formal recognition granted to NPs by professional organizations, indicating that they have met specific education, clinical, and examination requirements in their specialty.

Patient-Centered Care:

A healthcare approach where NPs prioritize the individual needs, preferences, and values of patients, actively involving them in the decision-making process.

Evidence-Based Practice:

The integration of the best available evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values in making healthcare decisions, guiding NPs in providing high-quality and individualized care.

Cultural Competence:

The ability of NPs to understand, respect, and effectively respond to the diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs of their patients.

Telehealth/Telemedicine:

The use of technology to provide healthcare services remotely, allowing NPs to conduct virtual consultations, monitor patients, and offer follow-up care.