Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist

http://library.thinkquest.org/15569/car1a.html

Duties and Responsibilities:

Nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists are advanced practice registered nurses who have received special courses and training. They usually work closely with doctors and can perform many high-level primary care tasks. They often specialize in specific types of practice such as pediatrics, psychiatry, or obstetrics. Some establish private practices; however, most work in doctors’ offices, hospitals, or neighborhood health centers. Duties often include:

·         Taking detailed medical histories and performing complete physical exams.

·         Providing diagnoses and recommending treatment plans.

·         Treating common medical conditions, illnesses, and injuries.

·         Prescribing limited medications.

·         Counseling patients and families.

Average Salary: $39,000 - $70,000

Educational Requirements:

Students should take challenging high school courses in science, math, and English.

Students must complete all of the education requirements to become a baccalaureate prepared registered nurse. They must then complete additional master’s level training and pass a certification examination.