Nurse Practitioner Job Description Sample

Nurse practitioners are qualified nurses who have the authority to provide diagnosis and limited treatment as well. They usually work in a team environment although in some instances, they may also work independently.

Nurse practitioners essentially provide direct patient care. Their work is not limited to a particular patient age bracket – they are qualified to cater to the needs of patients of all ages. Patience and compassion are two very important aspects of a nurse practitioner’s work as all nursing practices are based on these two elements. They are licensed to conduct tests, record medical histories and provide treatments directly to patients. They assess patients in order to gauge the need for changing or altering health plans and in some cases they have the authority to tweak healthcare plans in order to meet the changing needs of patients.

Want to know what nurse practitioners do on a typical day in a healthcare facility?

Nurse Practitioner Job Description Sample


• Take and record medical histories of patients under care

• Ask questions in order to gauge patients’ previous medical conditions and concerns

• Order diagnostic tests and interpret results

• Create and implement plans to prescribe both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments

• Implement interventions in order to provide credence to existing healthcare plans and monitor interventions

• Provide assistance during and after surgeries

• Provide assistance to patients by facilitating their transition between healthcare settings such as admitting and discharging

• Assist families in understanding treatment plans

• Arrange for preventative treatment plans for patients prone to secondary diseases

• Assist in diagnosing medical and surgical conditions

• Provide support to the medical staff in cases of medical emergencies

• Check patients and record physical findings

• Provide prognosis of patients’ conditions and discuss relevant cases with healthcare professionals in order to formulate plans

• Monitor and maintain progress of patients and propose changes in treatment plans

• Prescribe medications in accordance to patients’ medical needs

• Perform general physical examination of patients and propose therapeutic tests and procedures

• Conduct counseling sessions for young and elderly patients

• Assist doctors in choosing the right path on which a treatment plan must be based

• Provide support to psychiatrists and psychologists in reviewing the mental health of patients

• Assist other healthcare professionals in modifying care plans in to meet changing medical conditions