What is a Nurse Practitioner?

Nurse practitioners are medical providers, who have first completed a Registered Nurse degree and then returned for advanced training as a Nurse Practioner. They are formally trained in caring for the sick and have knowledge of how to diagnose, treat and manage many common ailments. In many cases, they perform the same functions as physicians:

  • Identify and treat acute and chronic illnesses
  • Order and analyze labs and other diagnostic tests
  • Prescribe medications.

Where doctors and nurse practitioners differ most is in the time spent on their respective educations and the types of patients they typically choose to see. Physicians spend more time in school and conduct deeper study of diseases. Many physicians will identify a specific area or specialty that they have the most knowledge or interest in to pursue as a career and will obtain training for surgery. Nurse practitioners typically don’t specialize in any one area. They can function well as primary care providers because their background includes knowledge of both holistic and wellness-oriented programs, which spotlight education, risk identification and preventative care.

A patient needing a medical procedure that requires surgery will need to be treated by a physician. However, being treated for common pelvic infections, starting birth control, treating abnormal bleeding or pelvic pain, and monitoring routine obstetric care can be handled just as capably by a nurse practitioner.

Dr. Rekuc and N.P. Tongson have developed a team approach to patient care with N.P. Tongson consulting regularly with Dr. Rekuc regarding patient care. N.P. Tongson is based out of our office exclusively therefore Dr. Rekuc will care for all hospital patients. If a patient has a condition that is out of N.P. Tongson’s scope she is astute at referring the patient to Dr. Rekuc. Similarly, to serve the Coachella Valley residents efficiently, Dr. Rekuc will suggest appropriate patients for N.P. Tongson to manage.

We understand that provider patient relationships are developed on trust and common sense and are happy to answer any questions regarding our training and scope of care.

79-440 Highway 111, Suite 105, La Quinta, CA 92253

Phone: 760-777-4067 Fax: 760-777-4096