While research conducted by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) shows that 81% of Americans have had or know someone who has had a direct experience with a nurse practitioner (NP), many are still not sure exactly what role these healthcare practitioners play in the healthcare paradigm, according to the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), Washington, D.C.

As consumers are increasingly consulting with or being treated by a nurse practitioner, they may be curious about (or lack information on) what a nurse practitioner does generally, and what capabilities they have. In fact, 60% of U.S. adults admitted that they have no idea what a nurse practitioner’s capabilities are, or they could not articulate them. It may be time to brush up on that knowledge: who is the nurse practitioner?

Nurse practitioners practice in a number of settings including private physician or NP practices, retail-based clinics (such as national chain drugstores), hospitals, nursing homes, public health departments and more. Among their many services, nurse practitioners: order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x-rays; diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, infections and injuries; prescribe medications and other treatments; and manage a patient’s care.

Here are some other facts about nurse practitioners from CRN:

97% of nurse practitioners agree that in order for healthcare in the U.S. to improve, it’s important that all Americans take responsibility for their own health.

82% of nurse practitioners agree that there are gaps in their patients’ diets that could effectively be addressed with dietary supplements.

59% of nurse practitioners believe that in the next five years, Americans will take measurable steps to improve their wellness habits.

83% of nurse practitioners agree it’s a good idea for patients to take multivitamins.

58% of nurse practitioners agree that patients have a good understanding of actionable steps they can take to improve their overall wellness.

Nurse practitioners agree that the following are major barriers to Americans being healthy:

Stress of daily lives caused by demanding jobs and hectic lifestyles (96%);

Not getting enough rest (94%);

Staying indoors and not getting enough physical activity due to weather (89%);

Overindulging during the holidays or on vacation (76%); and

Not being able to find healthy food while on the road (72%).

As Americans take more responsibility for proactively staying healthy, it is important that they understand the different options they have available to them when they are choosing a healthcare practitioner.