Download FHN Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants brochure
Download FHN Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants brochure
Download FHN Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants brochure
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<strong>FHN</strong> – WE’RE HERE. FOR YOU.<br />
<strong>Nurse</strong> <strong>Practitioners</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Physician</strong> <strong>Assistants</strong><br />
Important members of your<br />
healthcare team
<strong>FHN</strong> <strong>Nurse</strong> <strong>Practitioners</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Physician</strong> <strong>Assistants</strong> ...<br />
are experts who provide primary care to<br />
individuals of all ages <strong>and</strong> families across their<br />
entire life span.<br />
As supportive members of your healthcare team,<br />
they assist you with decisions <strong>and</strong> necessary steps<br />
needed to maintain your health, as well as help<br />
you cope with an illness.
<strong>Nurse</strong> <strong>Practitioners</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Physician</strong> <strong>Assistants</strong><br />
WHAT CAN THEY DO?<br />
<strong>Nurse</strong> <strong>Practitioners</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Physician</strong> <strong>Assistants</strong><br />
are part of a Medical Doctor’s team. They are<br />
trained <strong>and</strong> certified to:<br />
• Conduct physical exams<br />
• Treat patients’ illnesses <strong>and</strong> injuries<br />
• Develop <strong>and</strong> carry out treatment plans<br />
• Provide preventive healthcare counseling<br />
• Suture wounds<br />
• Order <strong>and</strong> interpret lab tests<br />
• Prescribe medications<br />
In addition, many <strong>Physician</strong> <strong>Assistants</strong> have<br />
special training that allows them to assist in<br />
surgery.<br />
CREDENTIALING – WHAT DOES IT MEAN?<br />
BC-FNP/GNP/ANP/CNM/NPWH … a <strong>Nurse</strong><br />
Practitioner takes a special exam after training in<br />
his or her area of interest. BC st<strong>and</strong>s for Board<br />
Certified, followed by the <strong>Nurse</strong> Practitioner’s<br />
area of certification. Common certifications<br />
include FNP (Family <strong>Nurse</strong> Practitioner), GNP<br />
(Geriatric <strong>Nurse</strong> Practitioner), ANP (Adult <strong>Nurse</strong><br />
Practitioner), CNM (Certified <strong>Nurse</strong> Midwife) <strong>and</strong><br />
NPWH (<strong>Nurse</strong> Practitioner for Women’s Health).<br />
<strong>Nurse</strong> <strong>Practitioners</strong> can go on to earn a doctorate<br />
degree in nursing – a Doctor of Nursing Practice<br />
(DNP), the highest level of certification.<br />
PA-C … a Certified <strong>Physician</strong> Assistant has been<br />
certified by the American Academy of <strong>Physician</strong><br />
<strong>Assistants</strong>.<br />
When you are treated by a nurse practitioner or physician assistant within <strong>FHN</strong>, you’re being<br />
treated by a professional who is your partner in healthcare.<br />
NURSE PRACTITIONERS<br />
<strong>Nurse</strong> practitioners are registered nurses<br />
(RNs) who have continued their education<br />
<strong>and</strong> clinical training in a particular healthcare<br />
specialty area. <strong>Nurse</strong> practitioners have earned<br />
a graduate degree in advanced practice<br />
nursing.<br />
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS<br />
<strong>Physician</strong> <strong>Assistants</strong> (PA-Cs) have received a<br />
broad education in primary care with a specific<br />
emphasis in the practice of medicine. Most<br />
PA-Cs have received their master’s degree in<br />
an intensive medical program generally lasting<br />
two to three years. After graduation, their<br />
education is ongoing through state continuingeducation<br />
requirements <strong>and</strong> interaction with<br />
healthcare providers.
A <strong>Nurse</strong> Practitioner or<br />
<strong>Physician</strong> Assistant is your<br />
partner in good health.<br />
<strong>FHN</strong> Memorial Hospital<br />
1045 West Stephenson Street<br />
Freeport, IL 61032<br />
Ph: 1-877-6000-<strong>FHN</strong> (1-877-600-0346)<br />
www.fhn.org<br />
10494_0711
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