A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse who has advanced education and training in diagnosing and managing certain health conditions, as well as prescribing medications. They work independently or in collaboration with physicians to provide primary, specialty, or urgent care services to patients across the lifespan. NPs undergo extensive clinical training and are qualified to perform physical exams, diagnose illnesses, develop treatment plans, and manage chronic conditions. Their scope of practice varies depending on the state in which they work, but generally, NPs provide high-quality, cost-effective care that helps improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.