What is a Nurse Practitioner?

Lakewood Family Medicine’s Nurse Practitioners are board certified by the American Board of Nurse Practitioners. The team consists of three Family Nurse practitioners, two Adult Nurse Practitioners and one Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse (RN) who has completed advanced education (a minimum of a masters degree) and training in the diagnosis and management of common medical conditions, including chronic illnesses. Nurse practitioners provide a broad range of health care services. They provide some of the same care provided by physicians and maintain close working relationships with physicians. They provide treatment for both acute and chronic conditions through prescribing medications, physical therapy, and ordering tests and therapies for patients. Their core philosophy is individualized care. They focus on patients’ illness as well as the effects of illness on the patients and their families.