The role of the nurse practitioner (NP) will be showcased Nov. 13 - 19, as NPs across the country celebrate more than 50 years of practice during National NP Week. In the United States, this distinguished group of health care professionals number approximately 222,000 strong with an additional 20,000 NP students graduating each year. Events held in communities around the country will acquaint local citizens with the role of NPs as providers of high-quality, safe, and personalized health care. NP practice offers a unique combination of nursing and health care service to patients. Focusing not only on diagnosing and managing acute and chronic illnesses, NPs integrate health promotion, disease prevention, counseling and patient education to help patients understand their complete health picture.
Nurse Practitioners have been part of the Army Medical Department for over 50 years. Civilian and military NPs stand shoulder to shoulder providing care in all healthcare settings from the smallest clinic to the largest medical treatment facilities. In the last fifteen years, military NPs have answered the call of their country and deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan working in Combat Support Hospitals, Brigade Combat Teams, and as part of Civil Affairs Teams. Military NPs have also deployed to support POW/MIA missions and other contingency missions around the world. Of note, more military NPs are assessing and managing patients with trauma and other acute injuries incurred during conflict. Nurse Practitioners are force multipliers who not only provide care for Soldiers with trauma but also those with Disease Non Battle Injuries (DNBI). In the peacetime environment, civilian and military NPs provide evidence-based primary care as primary care managers. Providing primary care in peacetime equips military NPs with readiness skills necessary to treat DNBI while deployed. Civilian and military NPs keep the Army's fighting force healthy and ready to deploy. Take some time during NP week to thank a NP for his or her contributions to Army Medicine.
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