What Is a Nurse Practitioner and What Do They Do?

For millions of Americans, the provider of choice is a nurse practitioner. There are more than 461,000 NPs licensed in the United States today, and together they complete nearly one billion patient visits every year, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). NPs diagnose and treat health conditions, manage ongoing care, and put real time into prevention and education. Decades of peer-reviewed research show that care delivered by NPs is safe, effective, and comparable in quality to physician-delivered care.

Here is a closer look at what NPs do, where they work, what it takes to become one, and how physician collaboration fits into the picture.

A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who evaluates, diagnoses, and treats patients, orders and interprets diagnostic tests, prescribes medication, and manages ongoing care — often serving as a patient’s primary care provider.

What Is a Nurse Practitioner?

A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who evaluates, diagnoses, and treats patients, orders and interprets diagnostic tests, prescribes medication, and manages ongoing care — often serving as a patient’s primary care provider. NPs blend advanced clinical training with a nursing model of care, which means the whole person gets attention, not just the diagnosis.

In day-to-day practice, NPs:

• Assess patients and take complete health histories
• Diagnose acute and chronic conditions
• Order and interpret lab work, imaging, EKGs, and other diagnostic tests
• Prescribe medications in all 50 states and D.C.
• Create and manage treatment plans, coordinating with the broader care team
• Perform certain procedures within their scope of practice
• Counsel and educate patients on prevention, wellness, and managing chronic disease

Many NPs also own and operate their own practices, manage clinical staff, and lead quality initiatives. About 87% of NPs are certified in an area of primary care, per AANP, though the profession spans nearly every specialty in medicine.

What Can a Nurse Practitioner Do for Patients?

For patients, seeing an NP looks a lot like seeing any other provider. The NP evaluates your concern, orders any tests you need, makes a diagnosis, and starts treatment, which can include prescriptions, referrals, and follow-up visits. In many communities, an NP can also mean a shorter wait for an appointment, especially in primary care and in areas with provider shortages.

Education is a defining part of the role. NPs are trained to help patients get well and stay well, and family nurse practitioners in particular are known for spending time on the conversations that prevent the next visit: nutrition, medication routines, screenings, and managing conditions like diabetes and hypertension at home.

Where Do Nurse Practitioners Work?

NPs practice in nearly every healthcare setting, including:

• Private practices, including NP-owned clinics
• Hospitals and emergency departments
• Community health centers and health departments
• Urgent care and retail health clinics
• Telehealth platforms
• Nursing homes and long-term care facilities
• Schools, college health clinics, and patient homes

Common NP Specialty Areas

Family practice. Family NPs care for patients across the lifespan and make up the largest share of the profession. They handle everything from annual physicals to chronic disease management.

Psychiatric mental health. PMHNPs diagnose and treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders. They prescribe and manage psychiatric medications. Demand for PMHNPs continues to grow alongside the national shortage of mental health providers.

Pediatrics. Pediatric NPs treat children’s acute and chronic illnesses and put heavy emphasis on prevention, development, and family education. Families often turn to pediatric NPs for guidance and steady, compassionate support.

Adult-gerontology. These NPs care for adults through older age, conducting exams, diagnosing conditions, and building care plans in settings that range from primary care offices to long-term care and acute care.

Women’s health. WHNPs and CNMs provide comprehensive care across the lifespan, with a focus on reproductive, gynecologic, prenatal, and menopausal health. They perform preventive screenings, manage common and complex conditions, prescribe medications, and educate patients on family planning, pregnancy, and healthy aging.

How Do You Become a Nurse Practitioner?

The path is standardized nationally, though state licensure details vary. At minimum, an NP must:

1. Become a registered nurse, by completing an approved nursing education program  – such as a BSN, associate degree, or direct-entry program – and passing the NCLEX-RN. 
2. Complete an accredited graduate program, either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), in a chosen population focus. Under the current national education standards, NP programs require a minimum of 750 supervised, direct patient care clinical hours, and simulation does not count toward that total.
3. Pass a national board certification exam in the population focus, through a certifying body such as the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Midwifery Certification Board(AMCB), or the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).
4. Obtain APRN licensure in each state of practice, and maintain it through that state’s continuing education and renewal requirements.

Altogether, NPs typically complete six or more years of academic and clinical preparation. Those who want to lead programs, teach, or conduct research often pursue a DNP or PhD. For a full breakdown of each step and timeline, see our guide on how to become a nurse practitioner.

How Much Do Nurse Practitioners Earn?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for nurse practitioners was $132,050 as of May 2024, with pay varying by state, specialty, and setting. The job outlook is just as notable: BLS projects NP employment to grow about 35% from 2024 to 2034, the fastest projected growth of any occupation in the country.

Practice Authority and Physician Collaboration

CollabDocs supports NPs and PAs across the country in navigating practice authority. What an NP can do independently depends on state law. AANP groups states into three categories:

• Full practice: NPs evaluate, diagnose, order and interpret tests, and manage treatment, including prescribing, under the licensure authority of the state board of nursing. As of AANP’s most recent count, 27 states, D.C., and two U.S. territories have adopted full practice authority.
• Reduced practice: State law requires a career-long collaborative agreement with a physician, or limits at least one element of NP practice.
• Restricted practice: State law requires physician supervision, delegation, or team management for at least one element of NP practice.

In reduced and restricted states, the working relationship between an NP and a physician is formalized in a written contract, usually called a collaborative practice agreement. It defines the scope of the collaboration, prescribing protocols, and how the physician reviews or supports the NP’s practice. Requirements change often, so always verify current rules with your state board of nursing and the AANP State Practice Environment map;  and if you need help identifying options, see how to find a collaborating physician for your state.

Quick FAQs

Is a nurse practitioner a doctor? No. NPs are advanced practice registered nurses, not physicians. Some hold a doctorate (DNP), which is an academic degree, not a medical license.

Can NPs prescribe medication? Yes. NPs hold prescriptive authority in all 50 states and D.C. State law determines whether physician collaboration or supervision is required.

Can an NP be my primary care provider? In most cases, yes. About 87% of NPs are certified in a primary care focus, and NPs serve as primary care providers for millions of patients, including a large share of Medicare and Medicaid patients.

Does every NP need a collaborating physician? No. It depends on the state. NPs in full practice authority states can practice without a formal physician agreement, while NPs in reduced and restricted states need a collaborative or supervisory arrangement to practice or prescribe.

Need a Collaborating Physician? We Can Help.

If your state requires a collaborating physician, finding the right one shouldn’t slow down your practice. CollabDocs pairs you with a carefully vetted physician from the nation’s largest vetted physician network, matched to your specialty, state, and practice style. Most clients are matched within 48 hours, and we guarantee your match within 14 days or your money back.

You went into this to take care of patients. We take care of the rest. Get a free quote today.

Sources

• American Association of Nurse Practitioners. NP Facts and the 2025 National NP Count. https://www.aanp.org/about/all-about-nps/np-fact-sheet
• American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Nurse Practitioners in Primary Care (position statement). https://www.aanp.org/advocacy/advocacy-resource/position-statements/nurse-practitioners-in-primary-care
• American Association of Nurse Practitioners. State Practice Environment. https://www.aanp.org/advocacy/state/state-practice-environment
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm
• National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education. Standards for Quality Nurse Practitioner Education, 6th Edition (2022). https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/0/PDFs/CCNE/NTFS-NP-Final.pdf

Important Notice: CollabDocs provides administrative and operational facilitation services to support the formation and ongoing management of collaborating physician and APC relationships. CollabDocs does not provide legal, medical, or regulatory advice, and nothing in this post should be construed as such. Compliance with applicable state and federal laws, including state-specific collaboration, supervision, and prescriptive authority requirements, is the responsibility of each individual provider and practice. Providers are strongly encouraged to consult qualified legal counsel regarding their specific arrangements and applicable regulatory requirements.