Medical Health Encyclopedia

Nurse practitioner (NP)


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Types of health care providers
Types of health care providers
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  • Acute care
  • Adult nursing
  • Family nursing
  • Geriatrics
  • Pediatrics
  • School nursing
  • Women's health care

To be recertified, NPs need to show proof of continuing education. Only certified nurse practitioners may use a "C" either in front of or behind their other credentials (e.g., Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, FNP-C, Certified Family Nurse Practitioner). Some nurse practitioners may use the credential APN rather than NP. This indicates an advanced practice nurse -- a broader category that also includes clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists.



Review Date: 07/22/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).




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