Nurse Practitioners

Nurse practitioners should have proven track records in their specialty area. For example, an infectious diseases NP should have experience collaborating with physicians to care for inpatients with transmissible or communicable diseases. Their responsibilities include interpreting laboratory and microbiologic data and antibiotic management. A sports medicine NP's background should include performing physical, musculoskeletal, and orthopedic examinations. They should be able to prescribe appropriate diagnostic tests and physical and occupational therapy treatments. This NP should be familiar with pain management services, such as trigger point and joint injections.

In addition to well-honed clinical specialty skills, NPs should enjoy working with people and be strongly committed to making a positive difference in patients' lives. They should possess excellent communication skills and exhibit patience, flexibility, and the ability to remain calm in an emergency.

Since new medical technologies and patient treatments are constantly being developed and implemented, nurse practitioners must stay on the cutting-edge of current research and practices in their specialty field.