nurse practitioner vs AUTONOMOUS NURSE PRACTITIONER

A Nurse Practitioner is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who has a master’s or doctorate degree, as well as extensive advanced clinical training in the diagnosis and management of common and complex medical conditions. Nurse Practitioners must also pass a national certification exam and continue to advance their knowledge through professional development and continuing education courses throughout their career.

Nurse Practitioners focus on providing evidence-based, empathic care to patients. Nurse Practitioners also focus their attention on prevention, wellness, and education. As clinicians, they diagnose and treat patients as well as help them prevent disease and manage their health. Their responsibilities include:

• Performing comprehensive and focused physical examinations
• Diagnosing and treating common acute illnesses and injuries
• Providing immunizations
• Managing high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and other chronic health problems
• Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests such as X-rays and EKGs, as well as laboratory tests
• Prescribing medications and therapies
• Performing procedures
• Educating and counseling patients and their families regarding healthy lifestyles and health care options

A Florida Autonomous Nurse Practitioner is a Nurse Practitioner that has proven to the state of Florida that they have had enough independent experience under a physician (more than 3000 hours) in their field to now practice autonomously without the need for oversight by or to be supervised by a physician. 

An Autonomous Nurse Practitioner in the state of Florida, has been given signature authority the same as a physician. Autonomous Nurse Practitioners have full practice authority, which means they can evaluate patients, order and interpret diagnostic tests, create and manage treatment plans, and prescribe medications without physician oversight.

• Diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions
• Order diagnostic tests like X-rays or lab work
• Manage a patient's overall care
• Serve as a Primary Care Provider
• Be board-certified in specialties like family practice, adult-gerontology, psychiatric/mental health,  or woman's health.
• Write prescriptions, including controlled substances (with a DEA license)
• Order home health and DME equipment
• Sign death certificates
• Admit, attend, and discharge at hospitals (if they have privileges at that hospital)