A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse who has received special courses and training, often specializing in specific types of practice such as pediatrics, psychiatry, or obstetrics. They have provided a vast amount of services in both acute, chronic and community settings, making their presence in the healthcare system essential. They are also expected to become even more crucial to healthcare delivery. Professional nurses are much needed in our society. They can provide what a patient might think they can only get from a doctor. They can address medical needs and provide important health education to help us be our best selves. Nurses do more than you think. They diagnose and treat acute, episodic or chronic illnesses, independently or as part of a healthcare team. They can focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x-rays, and provide services such as health and wellness counseling, screenings and referrals, and physical exams. They can also prescribe dosages, routes and frequencies of medications based on patient characteristics such as age and gender. They analyze and interpret patients, histories, symptoms, physical findings, or diagnostic information to develop appropriate diagnoses. In addition to providing primary care and some acute care and are qualified to meet most patients' health care needs. Their work environments include doctors' offices, hospitals, nursing care facilities, schools and clinics. Nurse midwives also work in birthing centers. Some can even treat patients in the comfort of their own home. Additionally, they can travel long distances to care for patients in locations that provide primary care and some acute care and are qualified to meet most patients' healthcare needs. They work primarily in doctors' offices and spend much of the day on their feet. They must have a master's degree, the right personality and the right skills suitable for a professional nurse. This career pays an average of $89,960 per year and the job prospects are very bright for the future. In the end everything will pay off. Works cited "American Nurses Association". American Nurses Association. Np, nd Web. March 17, 2014. “Nurses on My Next Move.” Nurses on my next move. Np, nd Web March 17, 2014. “Nurses: Shaping the Future of Health Care.” Nurses: Shaping the future of healthcare. Np, nd Web.17 March 2014. “Summary.” US Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, n.d. Web. March 17. 2014.