A nurse practitioner provides a clinically focused service, with an extended scope of practice that includes patient assessment and autonomous decision-making encompassing diagnosis, treatment, provision of interventions, referral and discharge as required – all within their approved scope of practice.
The NMBA: Nurse practitioner standards for practice, 2021 (external website) outlines the expectations, responsibilities and accountabilities for nurse practitioners. This ensures the provision of safe, high-quality care and enables nurse practitioners to autonomously complete entire episodes of care.
The clinical and academic education undertaken by a nurse practitioner prepares them to expand their scope of nursing practice to encompass the domains of clinical practice, research, education, and leadership. Scope of practice is determined by the context in which the nurse practitioner is authorised to practise.
Within their scope of practice nurse practitioners:
- perform health assessments
- order and interpret diagnostic investigations
- diagnose and treat a variety of health problems or conditions
- prescribe and deprescribe medications
- initiate and receive appropriate referrals from healthcare professionals.
Nurse practitioners are skilled and valuable members of the healthcare team and collaborate with other nurses and healthcare professionals to provide flexible and responsive health services. They work in a variety of health care settings including acute care, public and private hospitals, community health settings, aged care, general medical practices and private practice.