What is a nurse practitioner (CRNP or APRN)?
APRNs and CRNPs are registered nurses who complete additional, rigorous graduate-level education and advanced clinical training. Nurse practitioners complete either a master’s or doctoral program. They also earn a national certification, complete a periodic peer review, and clinical outcome evaluations.
What is a PA?
PA stands for Physician Assistant. With thousands of hours of medical training, PAs are versatile and collaborative. PAs practice in every state, every medical setting and specialty, and improve healthcare access and quality. PAs complete a master’s level education and have more than 2,000 hours of clinical training. The PA profession was created to improve and expand health care availability.
What do these professionals do?
Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants are collectively referred to as Advanced Practice Providers (APPs); they work with physicians and extended care teams. As part of the Complete Health care team, APPs improve patient access to care by being available when needed.
APPs are fully capable of examining patients, providing diagnoses, or providing treatment. They order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests, and develop care plans to keep patients healthy. This includes prescribing therapies, medical equipment, and medications.
Why are APPs important to whole-patient healthcare?
Complete Health is made up of healthcare providers supported by an outstanding “care team” model, innovative technology, and patient-centered services to ensure you are treated effectively, efficiently, and with first-class customer service. With APPs on the team, doctors can offer expanded access and availability, including walk-in visits, telehealth visits, and other services that help ensure the patient is not left waiting days or weeks for an appointment when more urgent care is needed.
Why should I see an APP?
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants understand the importance of overall health and well-being of the person. With a focus on disease prevention, health education, and counseling, APPs are experts at guiding patients toward making decisions that will maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle.
Everything an APP does to take care of you is reviewed by a Complete Health physician, including patient care decisions, medication prescriptions, and specialist referrals. APPs work as an extension of your doctor, helping ensure that patients have access to great care when needed.
How can I see an APP?
At most Complete Health locations, patients are often seen by an APP as part of the Complete Health care team. If you prefer to see a specific APP (APRN or PA), you may make a request at the time you schedule your visit.
NOTE: Information in this article is supported or provided by industry information from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA).
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