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Janice Scudmore, FNP

EDUCATION

Dominican University, San Rafael, BSN, RN

San Francisco State University, San Francisco, MSN, FNP

HONORS AND AWARDS

Sigma Theta Tau, International Nursing Honors Society

CERTIFICATION

Nurse Practitioner, California Board of Registered Nurses

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health

California Association of Nurse Practitioners

PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS

Janice worked as an RN for six years in the TICU before joining Pacific Women's. As a Nurse Practitioner, she incorporates her knowledge of high-risk and acute care medicine into women's health. Janice has worked at PWOG since 2003.



WHAT IS A NURSE PRACTITIONER?

A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse who has completed specific advanced nursing education (generally a masters or doctoral degree) and training in the diagnosis and management of common as well as complex medical conditions. Nurse Practitioners provide a broad range of health care services. Nurse practitioners, along with other advanced practice nurses, function within the scope of their state's nurse practice act and have varying levels of physician collaboration or supervision. In some states, nurse practitioners function independent of physician involvement.

The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners defines Nurse Practitioners as licensed independent practitioners who practice in ambulatory, acute and long term care as primary and/or specialty care providers. They provide nursing and medical services to individuals, families, and groups according to their area of practice/specialty. In addition to diagnosing and managing acute episodic and chronic illness, they also emphasize health promotion and disease prevention, incorporating teaching and counseling of individuals, families, and groups as a major part of their practice.

Nurse Practitioners can be trained and nationally board certified in areas of Family & Community Medicine (FNP), Pediatrics (PNP), Neonatology (NNP), Gerontology (GNP), Women's Health (emphasis on reproductive & gynecological health) (WHNP), Psychiatry & Mental Health (PMHNP), Acute Care (ACNP), Adult Health (ANP), Oncology (ONP), Emergency Medicine (as FNP or ACNP), Occupational Health (as ANP), etc. These programs, offered by many universities with a School of Nursing, are graduate-level programs; upon successful completion, students may be awarded a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.

Nurse Practitioners treat both acute and chronic conditions through comprehensive history taking, physical exams, physical therapy, ordering tests and therapies for patients, within their scope of practice. An NP can serve as a patient's "point of entry" health care provider, and see patients of all ages depending on their designated scope of practice.

A nurse practitioner's job may include the following:
  • Diagnosing, treating, evaluating and managing acute and chronic illness and disease (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure)
  • Obtaining medical histories and conducting physical examinations
  • Ordering, performing, and interpreting diagnostic studies (e.g., routine lab tests, bone x-rays, ECGs)
  • Prescribing physical therapy and other rehabilitation treatments
  • Prescribing pharmacologic treatments and therapies for acute and chronic illness (extent of prescriptive authority varies by state regulations)
  • Providing prenatal care and family planning services
  • Providing well-child care, including screening and immunizations
  • Providing primary and specialty care services, health-maintenance care for adults, including annual physicals
  • Providing care for patients in acute and critical care settings
  • Performing minor surgeries and procedures (with additional training and usually under supervision) (e.g., dermatological biopsies, suturing, casting)
  • Counseling and educating patients on health behaviors, self-care skills, and treatment options
Credit: wikipedia.com/nurse practitioner
Content Copyright Pacific Women's 2010