Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice, Prescribing Authority and How the Role Compares
Nurse practitioners are one of the fastest-growing roles in American healthcare, and demand is projected to keep climbing through the next decade. That growth draws a steady stream of questions from nurses weighing the step up, from patients trying to understand who is treating them, and from students mapping a career. What exactly can a nurse practitioner do? Can an NP prescribe medication? How is the role different from a registered nurse or a physician assistant, and how long does it take to become one? This guide answers all of it in one place, then points practicing NPs toward the continuing education they need to stay licensed.
