Nursing

A registered professional nurse (RN) helps you to maintain or regain good health. RNs:

• diagnose and treat responses to health problems;
• perform health assessments;
• teach and counsel on health issues; and
• execute medical regimens as prescribed by licensed physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and podiatrists, and,
• work as members of an interdisciplinary health care team to plan and implement the health care needs of consumers.

A nurse practitioner is an RN who has earned a special certification through additional education and experience. Nurse practitioners may diagnose, treat, and prescribe within their specialty area of practice. This is done in collaboration with a licensed physician qualified to collaborate in the specialty involved in accordance with an approved written practice agreement and protocols.

• Nurse practitioner specialty areas: Acute Care; Adult Health; College Health; Community Health; Family Health; Gerontology; Holistic Nursing; Neonatology; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Oncology; Palliative Care; Pediatrics; Perinatology; Psychiatry; School Health; Women's Health

A licensed practical nurse (LPN) provides nursing care under the direction of an RN, physician, or other authorized health care provider.

Read more about this profession.