Pets

...order labs/Xrays/CAT scans/MRIs if indicated, and prescribe a wide range of medications, including controlled substances.

I first became a peds NP in 1976, in the Air Force nurse corps. Peds NPs came into existence in 1965 thru a program developed at the University of Colorado. The first board certifying exam was offered in 1977.

Throughout my career, if both the family and I were comfortable with my diagnosis and treatment plans, I was the only person they saw for that visit. I was always in a practice setting where I had physician colleagues available within a few minutes if I wanted a quick second opinion. I preferred it that way, and never had any interest in having my own practice.

People who haven't had any experience with NPs often express the concern, "Do they know their limits? Do they know what they don't know?" And the answer is a resounding, "YES!" When asked that question in person, I would always stress that anyone who provides you a service of any kind needs to know what they know and what they don't know - your NP, your doctor, your dentist, your lawyer, your plumber, your car mechanic, your roofer, your hair stylist, etc, etc.

More than you wanted to know, maybe.