A Nurse Practitioner is a Registered Nurse who has completed specialized advanced education at masters or doctorate level and has shown clinical competency to provide health and medical care for diverse populations in a variety of settings. In Texas, Nurse Practitioners, along with Nurse Midwives, Nurse Anethetists and Clinical Nurse Specialists are referred to by the collective term Advanced Practice Nurse (APN). Nurse Practitioners are recognized under the Texas Board of Nursing in addition to being licensed as Registerd Nurses. The Nursing Practice Act for the State of Texas defines the role and the Texas Board of Nursing assures that all APN's have met the requirements for their roles.

Here at NCWHP, the Nurse Practitioner acts in collaboration with the Physicians in the delivery of health care services for women. Our Nurse Practitioners provide a broad range of health services including:

• Physical exams, including Pap smears
• Health and Wellness Counseling
• Contraceptive Care
• Pregnancy testing and care before, during and after pregnancy
• Care before and after menopause
• Evaluation and treatment of common vaginal infections
• STD screening and follow up
• Screening and referral for other health problems