Description
VA Nurse Practitioners act as individual primary care providers in both the home and hospital setting to respond effectively and efficiently to patients' health care needs. NPs are responsible for delivering essential and preventive care, providing patient and family education, and coordinating all care services. They provide specific services like obtaining medical histories and performing physical examinations. They also diagnose and treat many health problems. Some NPs have prescriptive authority to prescribe pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments.

Requirements
For a position within the VA health care system, Nurse Practitioner applicants must be a graduate from a Nurse Practitioner Program, approved by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). In addition, a Nurse Practitioner must hold certification by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Also, a current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice as a Nurse Practitioner in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia is required.