Nurse Practitioner A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a primary care provider who practices in ambulatory, acute and long term care settings. According to their practice specialty these primary care providers provide nursing and medical services to individuals, families and groups. In addition to diagnosing and managing acute episodic and chronic illnesses, NPs emphasize health promotion and disease prevention. NPs are often responsible for ordering, conducting and interpreting diagnostic and laboratory tests, and prescription of pharmacologic agents and pharmacologic therapies. Teaching and counseling individuals, families and groups are a major part of a Nurse Practitioner's practice.