A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse (RN) who provides high-quality medical care similar to a doctor. They have a minimum of a master's degree and are trained to diagnose and manage common medical conditions, focus on health education, and provide counsel to you about your child's illness. Like a PCP, they will educate you and your child on how actions and lifestyle can affect your well-being. A nurse practitioner can be a patient's regular health care provider, and in most states, many nurse practitioners have a DEA registration number so they can write prescriptions for “controlled” medications.

Why Choose a Nurse Practitioner?

An NP is an excellent point of entry into the medical system because she may provide services for an entire family, is easily accessible, treats the mind and body, can fill prescriptions, and bills insurance for services performed. With an NP you get the full package, from diagnosing, treating, evaluating, and managing non–life-threatening acute and chronic illness and diseases, to providing primary and specialty care services, performing minor surgeries and procedures, and collaborating with physicians and other health professionals as needed. She can order, perform, and interpret basic diagnostic studies as well.