Home > Terms > English, UK (UE) > Nurse practitioner (NP)

A registered nurse qualified and specially trained to provide primary care, including primary health care in homes and in ambulatory care facilities, long-term care facilities, and other health care institutions. Normally, NPs are licenced and possess masters degrees. Nurse practitioners generally function under the supervision of a physician but not necessarily in his/her or her presence. In some states, NPs are able to provide basic medical services without requiring MD or DO supervision. They are either salaried or reimbursed on a fee-for-service basis. See also Midlevel Practitioners.