7 Essential NP Skills
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice health care providers with essential skills for diagnosing and treating common and complex illnesses. Positive patient experiences and optimal health outcomes are achievable with strong NP skills.
This blog is for aspiring primary care NPs who may wonder what skills are needed to be a nurse practitioner as they progress in their nursing careers. Read on to explore specific nurse practitioner skills with clinical examples that you can focus on developing today.
1. Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis
Forming an accurate diagnosis starts with a professional clinical assessment. Nurse practitioners begin patient encounters with a thorough health history and physical examination. This process allows patients and families to provide experiential information about their health and wellness concerns and establish a partnership with the NP for collaborative care.
Analyzing the information from a clinical assessment includes knowing when to order necessary diagnostic tests. NPs are trained in differential diagnosis methods, narrowing down possible causes of a symptom profile and interpreting findings to arrive at the correct diagnosis. From this place, the NP constructs an effective treatment plan.
2. Treatment Plan Development
The ability to craft individualized treatment plans that consider patient needs, preferences, and evidence-based practices is a hallmark of excellent NP practice. Holistic treatment plan development improves with practice and includes:
- Consideration of lifestyle and environmental factors
- Attention to spiritual, cultural, and religious values
- Incorporation of community support and advocacy
- Medical management of the disease process
When an evidence-based treatment plan does not achieve the desired health outcomes, critical thinking and reevaluation are essential nurse practitioner skills. Patient involvement in treatment planning empowers adherence and can increase satisfaction when shared decision-making is prioritized.
3. Communication
Effective communication is one of the top skills needed to be a nurse practitioner. Throughout a typical workday, the NP role intersects with patients, families, and colleagues of various disciplines. In each scenario, different communication modalities may be used including nonverbal, written, spoken, and the appropriate use of interpreters when helpful.
NPs who employ motivational interviewing use effective questioning to elicit patient-centered goals for a more personalized and focused health promotion plan. Likewise, communication strategies for assessing health literacy can help the NP assist patients who desire to navigate and appraise available consumer health information online.
Sensitive health-related topics require a considerate communication approach by the NP to foster safety and build trust. Empathy and active listening skills are paramount in the context of psychosocial care. A nurse practitioner who conveys information clearly and with compassion promotes mutual understanding for care coordination and improved teamwork.
4. Collaboration
Nurse practitioners in primary care serve as the main point of assessment and disease management for patients. In this role, NPs frequently collaborate with other health professionals to ensure optimal patient care. Seamless collaboration enhances continuity of care when a patient is referred to a specialist for further evaluation and treatment. The joint efforts of an interdisciplinary team also promote timely intervention when care providers work together to address time-sensitive problems.
Collaborative practice is not only important in direct patient care but can be found in:
- Advanced nursing research
- Continuing education and specialty training
- Health politics and policy
- Quality improvement and accreditation
There are many diverse ways that NPs can collaborate within the profession to encourage evidence-based practice and demonstrate leadership in facilitating positive health outcomes.
5. Patient Education
Every patient interaction is an opportunity for the NP to offer support through health education. Clear and understandable teaching empowers patients to process information about a new diagnosis or to more effectively manage acute and chronic conditions.
Clinical examples of NP patient education include:
- Explanations about the cause of illness
- Nutrition and lifestyle counseling to address modifiable disease risk factors
- Recommendations for preventive and diagnostic screenings
- Medication administration techniques
NP skills for patient education include the ability to effectively incorporate strategies for diverse learning styles and preferences. Some patients may appreciate written instructions while others favor dialogue to ask questions and confirm understanding. When care involves activities that must be carried out by a patient or family at home, the NP can first demonstrate the task and allow the patient to gain confidence by practicing and completing the steps together.
6. Technology Proficiency
NPs in all practice specialties can leverage health care technology for tasks like electronic health records, telehealth, and medication management. As the world continues to become more data-driven, a basic knowledge of informatics and comfort with computers is a helpful skill for NPs to develop.
Technology is prevalent within health care delivery systems to enhance communication and manage health records. NPs may routinely use technology in the form of:
- Mobile apps
- Patient portals
- Virtual conferencing
- Integrative software
Patients can stay engaged with their care plan by tracking symptoms electronically and communicating with providers through messaging systems. NPs also use technology in decision-making to review the latest clinical guidelines and consult evidence-based resources for developing treatment plans and improving patient safety.
7. Lifelong Learning
Nurse practitioners must be committed to continuous learning and staying abreast of the latest medical advancements and best practices. Professional development is required for maintaining NP licensure and certification, and the work is especially rewarding when NPs can develop expertise in a particular practice area and excel in their careers over time.
The meaningful role of an NP is motivated by a passion for helping others improve health and wellness and making a difference in the world every day. If you desire to answer the call to become a nurse practitioner, Felician University has compelling online options for completing your graduate nursing education in preparation for advanced practice.
Become a Nurse Practitioner at Felician University
With a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a current RN license, prospective nurse practitioners can consider the specialty options available in this exciting career path. Felician University offers an Online MSN-FNP program and an Online MSN-AGPCNP program that are designed for the modern world. Key highlights of the MSN programs include:
- Intentional connectivity and innovative learning experiences
- 100% online coursework with in-person clinicals and one campus residency visit
- Affordable tuition from a top-ranked university
- Clinical placement support integrated within the programs
Get started today by visiting the online programs page where you can request more information about the online graduate nursing programs at Felician University.