A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse (RN) who has completed advanced education and training in a specialty area of practice. NPs are authorized to diagnose and treat medical conditions, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications and provide patient education and counseling. The scope of an NP’s practice varies from state to state. NPs receive training in both academic settings, such as colleges and universities, and clinical settings, such as hospitals, community health centers and private practices. Most NPs complete a master's degree program that includes both classroom learning and clinical rotations to provide hands-on experience. In some states, NPs may be able to complete a doctoral degree program instead. After completing their educational program,
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