What is a nurse practitioner?

A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse who has completed specific advanced nursing education (generally a master's degree or doctoral degree) in the diagnosis and management of  medical conditions.

In Washington, Nurse Practitioners hold an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, (ARNP) license,  as well as a Registered Nurse license.

These licenses allow them to practice independently and provide a full spectrum of healthcare services including diagnosis, lab tests, prescriptions, and referrals to other healthcare providers. 

They can also perform many procedures such as wound closure, stitching, casting, mole removal, toenail removals and other minor surgeries.

Their nursing training and experience puts emphasis on building relationships with patients.  Emphasis is put on spending time with each patient to understand their needs and provide education so the patient can participate in their health care decisions.

Nurse practitioners  work independently in the State of Washington.  Their practice is governed by the Washington State Board of Nursing, which holds them to high standards of professional care and requires continuing education for as long as they practice.