A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse educated and authorised to function autonomously and collaboratively in an advanced and extended clinical role. The nurse practitioner role includes assessment and management of clients using nursing knowledge and skills and may include but is not limited to the direct referral of patients to other health care professionals, prescribing medications and ordering diagnostic investigations. The nurse practitioner role is grounded in the nursing profession’s values, knowledge, theories and practice and provides innovative and flexible health care delivery that complements other health care providers.
The scope of practice of the nurse practitioner is determined by the context in which the nurse practitioner is authorised to practice.
Source: Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council
For more information please visit the
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council and
Royal College of Nursing websites.
