Nurse Practitioners
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice nurses with training in both the nursing model and medical model of care. NPs are committed to personalized, high-quality healthcare and are held to the same legal and ethical standards of care as physicians and surgeons. They have been providing primary, acute and specialty healthcare to patients of all ages and walks of life for nearly half a century. NPs assess patients, order and interpret diagnostic tests, make diagnoses, and initiate and manage treatment plans – including prescribing medication.
HSS NPs serve pediatric and adult patients in an extensive range of practice settings throughout the Hospital and its local and regional locations. Their specialty and subspecialty areas include:
- Anesthesia (PACU/OSCU/SDU)
- Anticoagulation
- Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement (ARJR)
- Cardiology
- Diabetic Care
- Occupational Health
- Pain Management
- Pediatrics
- Postoperative Care
- Radiology
- Trauma
- Wound Care
- Private Physician Offices
Education and Training
All NPs must complete a master's or doctoral degree program, and have advanced clinical training beyond their initial professional registered nurse preparation. Didactic and clinical courses prepare nurses with specialized knowledge and clinical competency to practice in primary care, acute care and long-term healthcare settings.
HSS NPs maintain both their NP and RN licenses in New York State, are required to be board certified in their specialty area of practice, and are credentialed and privileged to practice at the institution.
Qualifications
To be recognized as expert healthcare providers and ensure the highest quality of care, NPs undergo rigorous national certification, periodic peer review, clinical outcome evaluations, and they adhere to a code for ethical practices. Self-directed continued learning and professional development is also essential to maintaining clinical competency. Additionally, to promote quality healthcare and improve clinical outcomes, NPs lead and participate in both professional and lay healthcare forums, conduct research, and apply findings to clinical practice.
Services
Autonomously and in collaboration with physicians, surgeons, PAs, and other individuals, NPs provide a full range of primary, acute, and specialty healthcare services. This team model is an efficient and effective way to provide high quality medical care, elicit the best clinical outcomes, and ensure the fastest healing and recovery.
At HSS, NPs:
- Obtain health history and conduct physical exams
- Diagnose and treat medical problems
- Prescribe medications and other treatments (e.g., physical therapy)
- Order and interpret diagnostic (e.g., X-rays) and laboratory tests
- Educate and counsel individuals, families, and groups on health behaviors and treatment options
- Manage patients’ overall postoperative care
- Work collaboratively with specialty practice physicians, surgeons and PAs
- Provide care for patients in specialty services (acute and critical care settings; ambulatory settings and clinics)
- Perform minor surgical procedures
- Refer patients to other healthcare professionals as needed
Preceptoring and Student Clinical Rotations
During student clinical rotations at HSS, NP students receive exposure and structured training to the day-to-day clinical practice of experienced APPs and physicians, which is integral to translating medical knowledge and understanding into effective patient care.
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