Author: Jon Adamy
"Nurse Practitioners can handle
most of the same health care
needs physicians can.”
If you’re looking for someone who can quickly help you with your health care needs, a Nurse Practitioner could be the perfect fit.
“A Nurse Practitioner is a nurse with advanced education and training,” said Lindsey Jenks, board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner at Mid-Michigan Physicians Healthcare Associates. “Nurse Practitioners start by becoming a Registered Nurse, then earn a graduate degree and pass a national board certification exam to be licensed by the state.”
Nurse Practitioners often have more availability to see new patients than physicians do, and they can take care of many of the same concerns as physicians. Many Nurse Practitioners offer virtual visits, and can help with mental health treatment and counseling and referrals to specialists.
“Nurse Practitioners can handle most of the same health care needs physicians can,” said Jenks. “Some responsibilities include diagnosing and treating both acute and chronic health conditions, ordering and interpreting diagnostics and labs, counseling, prescribing medications, and providing patient education.”
A Nurse Practitioner can serve as your primary care provider and help make sure you and your family are healthy through regular checkups and physicals. “Establishing long-lasting relationships with my patients and making a difference in their lives is my favorite part of being a Nurse Practitioner,” said Jenks.
Looking for a new primary care provider in your area? Click here for a list of McLaren Greater Lansing health care providers accepting new patients.