A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is also known as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). APRNs are registered nurses who are prepared, through advanced education and clinical training, to provide a wide range of preventive and acute health care services to individuals of all ages. APRNs are professionals who hold either a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. They must be board certified via a national exam covering a specific area of clinical concentration, such as family, women’s, adult, gerontology, or mental health. With board certification, they may be licensed by the state to provide care. APRNs are paid by Medicaid, Medicare, and major insurance providers such as Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Aetna, Cigna, United, and others.
What makes APRN care special is their focus on holistic care. They see the whole patient, incorporating physical, emotional, mental, social, and financial well-being. Your APRN will address what’s important to you and help you focus on things such as family support and transportation, prevention, wellness, or disease management.
At UT Health Services, our providers include family, adult, and women’s health nurse practitioners who are ready to be your partner in meeting your health goals. If you need or want to see a physician, UTHS has a Board-Certified Family and Occupational Health Medicine specialist available.
Learn more about nurse practitioner educational opportunities at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston.
