How do they match: Nurse Practitioners

  • Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

  • Detect and respond to adverse drug reactions, with special attention to vulnerable populations such as infants, children, pregnant and lactating women, or older adults.
  • Prescribe medication dosages, routes, and frequencies, based on such patient characteristics as age and gender.
  • Supervise or coordinate patient care or support staff activities.