Calli L. Cook, FNP-C, responds:

Nurse practitioners are nurses who have continued their training at the master's or doctorate level after completing a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree. While some states require nurse practitioners to practice only under a doctor's supervision, others allow them full authority to treat patients after completing hundreds of hours of supervised patient care and board certification. Nurse practitioners must take continuing education courses in their field each year.

In 2014, the American Academy of Neurology created a membership category for advanced practice providers, including nurse practitioners.

Scope of Practice

Like physicians, nurse practitioners perform physical exams, order and review imaging tests such as CTs and MRIs, and devise treatment plans for patients. They can also order and review physical therapy and other continuing care as well as prescribe and explain medication. In 29 states, prescribing by a nurse practitioner must be reviewed by a physician.

Nurse practitioners who work in hospitals often coordinate treatment for patients from the time they are admitted until after they are discharged. Those who work in neurology offices usually see patients for general visits. They also help patients manage chronic conditions such as migraine, back pain, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, dementia, and Parkinson's disease.

Team Effort

If you're a new patient in a neurology practice that has a nurse practitioner, you are more likely to be seen by a nurse practitioner if your symptoms fit a pattern, such as headache accompanied by nausea, which often indicates migraines, or a previously diagnosed condition. More complex cases are likely to be referred to a neurologist, at least for the initial consultation. On subsequent visits, you may ask to see, or be assigned to, a nurse practitioner for follow-up.

Many practices consist of teams that include neurologists, nurse practitioners, and other health professionals all working together to handle each patient.

Ready Availability

If you have non-emergency questions about your condition and your neurologist is not available by telephone, consider asking if the practice has a nurse practitioner you can talk to. The nurse practitioner has the skills and training to answer your questions and can follow up with the doctor if needed.

Calli L. Cook is certified as a family nurse practitioner (FNP-C), which allows her to see patients of all ages, at the Emory Brain Health Center in Atlanta. She is also chair of the Consortium of Advanced Practice Providers at the American Academy of Neurology.