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What is a Nurse Practioner (A.R.N.P.)

A Nurse Practitioner is a Professional Registered Nurse who has advanced education and clinical training in a health care specialty. Florida Board of Medicine designates the term for the nurse practitioner as "A.R.N.P" or Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner. Most Nurse Practitioners have national board certification in their area of expertise and hold Master's or Doctoral degrees. Nurse Practitioners serve as primary health care providers for children and adults during health and illness. Their goal is to help people of all ages stay as healthy as possible. They do this by teaching people and treating their acute illnesses (such as infections) and chronic disease (such as hypertension, diabetes, and many others).

What can a Nurse Practitioner do?

• Physical examination, treatment & procedures
• Order and interpret laboratory and diagnostic studies
• Family planning service
• Healthcare during pregnancy
• Well/sick care for all ages
• Health risk evaluation
• Psychological counseling
• Coordination of health care services
• Health education
• Fitness for duty examinations

Can Nurse Practitioners prescribe medications?

Yes. How a Nurse Practitioner prescribes medications is regulated by each state's Nurse Practice Act. In Florida, Nurse Practitioners have prescriptive authority through written agreements with a collaborating physician. In Florida, ARNP's are restricted and cannot prescribe controlled substances.

Why Choose a Nurse Practitioner?

Nurse Practitioners are also trained to promote health and prevent disease through comprehensive health care and education. More and more people are choosing a Nurse Practitioner for their regular health care provider because Nurse Practitioners are highly trained health professionals who:

• take time to listen to you and your family's worries and concerns
• explain the details of health problems, medications, and other topics to help you understand how to take care of yourself
• provide individualized care
• work in collaboration with physicians and other health professionals to insure that you receive the best possible health care
  really care about you, your health, your family, and the community you live in
• treat you when you are sick
• teach you how to care for yourself when ill and how to stay healthy

Contact the Florida Nurse Practitioner Network to locate a ARNP for your health or referral for a family member.