Practice Characteristics/Certifications
Students may elect to focus on either adult primary care or geriatric primary care, or both, and take the respective ANCC certification exam(s).

The nurse practitioner is a registered nurse, prepared through a formal educational program that meets guidelines established by the profession, to provide a full range of primary health care services. Practitioners engage in independent decision making about health care needs and provide health care to individuals, families, and groups across the life span. Nurse practitioners practice in a variety of settings: in ambulatory care facilities such as a public or private clinic, health maintenance organizations, private offices, correctional facilities, schools, occupational health clinics and long term care settings. Nurse practitioners also contribute to the delivery and continuity of health care services within the home, the long-term care setting, and the acute care setting.

Additional Adult/Older Adult Nurse Practitioner Information