General Information
Qualification
Completion of Post-graduate certificate Nurse Practitioner program, with Master’s degree in Nursing or related field with primary focus on nursing, or Postmaster’s Nurse Practitioner program. As of January 1, 2005 all new Nurse Practitioner graduates must have a Masters Degree. National certification required after January 1, 2000. Continuing education is mandatory for recertification and for continuing regulatory approval to practice in North Carolina.
What they do
While historically the Nurse Practitioner role began in rural primary care, Nurse Practitioners practice in many settings such as specialty practices, hospitals, managed care, long-term care, and public health. Nurse Practitioners manage a broad range of health issues, emphasizing primary care and health promotion. Nurse Practitioners diagnose and treat health conditions with a focus on preventative services, counseling individuals and families, and monitoring health status over time.
Employment options
Salaried or self-employed. Nurse Practitioner services are reimbursable by insurance.
Who regulates
Nurse Practitioners are regulated by the Joint Subcommittee of the Medical Board and Board of Nursing.
The Nurse Practitioner (NP) Survival Guide will answer many of your questions regarding Nurse Practitioner practice in North Carolina.
