What is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)?
A. A pediatric nurse practitioner is a registered nurse, specializing in pediatrics, with advanced education. Most nurse practitioners have a master’s degree and some have PhD’s. All nurse practitioners are licensed by the state after they pass certification exams and meet strict requirements. Nurse practitioners always work with a group of physicians. Some nurse practitioners, like Barb and Debbie, receive advanced training to become specialists. They are specialists in pediatric cancer. Q. What can nurse practitioners do? A. They can do the following: • Give physical exams. • Diagnose and treat minor illnesses. • Write prescriptions for medications needed by the patient. • Perform procedures like spinal taps or bone marrow aspirations. • Monitor patients for side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. • Educate children, teens, and families about their diseases and treatments. • See patients and families in the hospital and in the clinic. Q. What will the nurse practitioners do to he
