Health Matters: The Role of a Nurse Practitioner

When scheduling a doctor’s appointment, there may be times when you’re asked if you would like to see the nurse practitioner. “A doctor may have five nurse practitioners working with them to serve a really large population at one time,” said Erin Lake, a nurse practitioner with Lee Health.

A nurse practitioner is part of the healthcare team, working with physicians and nurses. “A lot of times we do alternate visits, preventative care with the physician and then alternate back and forth. Providing goals and really checking and predicting what the next six months will look like,” she said.

Similar to the physician’s role, she works with patients to protect and improve their health. “Preventative services, screenings, ordering and providing tests, anticipating needs for the patient and the family. We are trying to coordinate with the patient and empower them to be the best version of themselves,” Lake said.

Nurse practitioners can also see patients for post-operative care or to prepare them for an upcoming surgery. “Our scope of care can include primary care, acute care, chronic care management, prescribing, ordering tests, diagnostics, and helping patients navigate healthcare,” she said.

An important partnership that gives patients the best medical care possible.

View More Health Matters video segments at LeeHealth.org/Healthmatters/ Lee Health in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of health care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For more than 100 years, we’ve been providing our community with personalized preventative health services and primary care to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries. Lee Health – Caring People. Inspiring Care. Visit LeeHealth.org

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