As the demand for quality health care continues to increase, UAB Department of Neurosurgery nurse practitioners (NPs) are rising to meet the needs of patients. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, NPs have been on the frontlines of healthcare delivery, ensuring patients have access to lifesaving treatments, as well as acute and long-term specialty care. To honor their contributions, the UAB Department of Neurosurgery is recognizing the critical role of NPs as part of the annual National Nurse Practitioner Week (NP Week) celebration.
 
NP Week recognizes the positive impact NPs make in the lives of patients through more than 1 billion annual visits, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). NPs assess patients, order and interpret tests, make diagnoses and provide treatment, including prescribing medications. As clinicians who blend clinical expertise with an added emphasis on disease prevention and health management, NPs are the healthcare provider of choice for millions of patients.
 
“NPs prioritize the needs of patients and improve the health of their communities,” said April N. Kapu, DNP, APRN, ACNP- BC, FAANP, FCCM, FAAN, president of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. “Since the nurse practitioner role began more than 50 years ago, NPs have risen to meet each challenge, worked to eliminate health care disparities and strengthened our nation’s ability to ensure patients have equitable access to high-quality care.

For more information on finding a Department of Neurosurgery provider, click here.