Also called an “Advanced Practice nurse (APN), nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have met further educational and clinical practice requirements beyond the 2-4 years of basic nursing education required of all RNs. Most have Masters Degrees and at least 36 states require national certification in a specialty area.

Nurse practitioners meet licensing, competency standards, and continuing education requirements. They are encouraged to be nationally certified as proof of competency.

In addition, nurse practitioners are eligible for third party reimbursement under Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurers.

Nurse practitioners in Arizona may work with a physician or alone. They diagnose, treat, write prescriptions and refer patients who need additional care to the appropriate specialist. The nurse practitioner’s emphasis, however, is on health care promotion and disease prevention. A nurse practitioner teaches people how to get and stay healthy.