nurse practitioner

noun

: a registered nurse who is qualified through advanced training to assume some of the duties and responsibilities formerly assumed only by a physician

—abbreviation NP

Examples of nurse practitioner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Between 2016 and 2024, 76,475 Canadians received lethal doses from doctors or nurse practitioners. — Charles Lane, Washington Post, 2 July 2026

Eight groups challenged the department’s definition in court, representing nurse practitioners, therapists, speech language pathologists and more. — Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Some states still require physician supervision for nurse practitioners, while 27 states and the District of Columbia allow for NPs to practice independently, and more are anticipated. — David S. Shapiro, STAT, 30 June 2026

Eight groups challenged the department's definition in court, representing nurse practitioners, therapists, speech language pathologists and more. — ABC News, 29 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nurse practitioner

• commissioner
• conditioner
• parishioner
• petitioner
• positioner
• missioner

Medical Definition

nurse practitioner

noun

: a registered nurse who through advanced training is qualified to assume some of the duties and responsibilities formerly assumed only by a physician

—abbreviation NP

called also nurse clinician