The growing demand for Nurse Practitioner
Neonatal nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner, nurse practitioner shortage
A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse, usually completed the advanced
education plus training in the field of diagnosis and management of common
medical condition and chronic illnesses. Nurse practitioners give a wide
range of health care services, as equivalent to the physicians and of course
have close professional contacts with the physicians. A NP can provide regular
health care to the patients.
The demand for nurse practitioner has emerged very high in all types of
society. Due to their personalized service, the patients prefer NP. The
economic factor related to the health care also creates a need for NP, as
they can equally perform the duties of physicians. The rate of demand is
high, especially among the aging population. Due to the increase in the
span of living, the need for treatments on chronic illnesses, such as diabetes,
cardiology and orthopedics, has become prevalent and most wanted.
A survey resulted in the numbering of the registered nurses, just about
3 million practitioners in US. And they are the leading ones in the health
care professionals. The advancement in this field could be to get advanced
specialized practice.
These specialty fields are nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists,
nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists. They are all in high demand, especially
in the medically underserved areas like rural zones, minority areas, inner
cities and other such. When compared to the physicians who neglect these
areas, where the cost of treatment is very low, the need for NP is very
high due to the primary care service at nominal cost.
NP works either as independent or as blend with the physicians. They provide
primary and specialty care with the mix of nursing and health care services
to both the patients and families.
They are usually specialized in family practice, adult practice, women’s
health, acute care, geriatrics, pediatrics, neonatology and mental health.
Apart from this health care, they obtain mental histories, conduct physical
examinations and tests, make awareness of the available medical conditions,
diagnosis, perform and analyze the results of the tests, counsel patients,
and also prescribe medicines.
The work environment includes a good lighting, and comfortable health care
facilities. Except for the ones working in offices, schools, other needs
to work 24 hours, including nights, weekends, holidays and on call.
Due to the personalized service given by these NPs, they are subject to
various infectious diseases, hazardous compounds, needle sticks, radiation,
chemicals, and anesthetics. Emotional stress is more for these NP as they
are very close with the patients and the family and be there to take up
decisions on critical situations. This make them go beyond their ethics.
Bachelor’s degree, along with clinical experience is necessary for NP admission.
And other special personalities of a nurse are a must.
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