Many nurse practitioners working in specialty areas, and especially primary care, must become skilled at using and interpreting a wide range of diagnostic tools. While NPs do not perform complex surgical procedures, NPs can perform some invasive treatment procedures.

What surgeries can a nurse practitioner do?

A surgical nurse practitioner may do anything from opening locations for surgery, operating laparoscopic cameras, suturing wounds, providing suction, or anything else that the surgeon may need.

Can a nurse practitioner clear a patient for surgery?

A Yes, and many hospitals and surgery centers meet the CMS and JCAHO requirements in this way. Anesthesiologists and CRNAs have considerable expertise in conducting H&Ps, and must evaluate the patient prior to administering sedation or anesthesia.