Scope of Practice for Nurse Practitioners
Professional Role
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are licensed, independent practitioners who practice in ambulatory, acute
and long-term care as primary and/or specialty care providers. They provide nursing and medical
services to individuals, families and groups accordant with their practice specialties. In addition to
diagnosing and managing acute episodic and chronic illnesses, NPs emphasize health promotion and
disease prevention. Services include ordering, conducting, supervising, and interpreting diagnostic
and laboratory tests, prescribing pharmacological agents and non-pharmacologic therapies, and
teaching and counseling patients, among others.
As licensed, independent clinicians, NPs practice autonomously and in collaboration with health
care professionals and other individuals. They serve as health care researchers, interdisciplinary
consultants and patient advocates.
Education
NPs are advanced practice nurses - health care professionals who have achieved licensure and
credentialing well beyond their roles as registered nurses (RNs). All NPs obtain graduate degrees and
many go on to earn additional post-masters certificates and doctoral degrees. Didactic and clinical
courses provide NPs with specialized knowledge and clinical competency which enable them to
practice in primary care, acute care and long-term care settings. Self-directed continued learning
and professional development are hallmarks of NP education.
Accountability
The autonomous nature of NP practice requires accountability for health care outcomes and
thus national certification, periodic peer review, clinical outcome evaluations, a code for ethical
practice, evidence of continued professional development and maintenance of clinical skills. NPs
are committed to seeking and sharing information that promotes quality health care and improves
clinical outcomes. This is accomplished by leading and participating in both professional and lay
health care forums, conducting research and applying findings to clinical practice.
Responsibility
The role of the NP continues to evolve in response to changing societal and health care needs. As
leaders in primary and acute health care, NPs combine the roles of providers, mentors, educator,
researchers and administrators. They also take responsibility for advancing the work of NPs through
involvement in professional organizations and participation in health policy activities at the local,
state, national and international levels.
American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 1993
Revised, 1998, 2002, 2007, 2010, 2013
Administration: PO Box 12846 Austin, TX 78711 512-442-4262 Email: [email protected] Website: www.aanp.org
Government Affairs: 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 525 Alexandria, VA 22314 703-740-2529 Email: [email protected]
