HIGHTSTOWN MEDICAL ASSOCIATES, PA
Valerie A. Layne, DNP, NP-BC
Hightstown Medical Associates, its physicians and staff, are proud to welcome Valerie Layne to our staff. Valerie is a board certified family nurse practitioner with a clinical doctorate (DNP) from Case Western Reserve University. She is a Diplomat of Comprehensive Care achieved through examination by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). Her prior education includes a BS in Nursing from the State University of New York-Albany, a Master of Arts from New York University, and a Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner program at the College of New Jersey. In addition, she is certified as a health-fitness specialist by the American College of Sports Medicine. Valerie worked in Critical Care Units at the University Medical Center at Princeton and Framingham Union Hospital before completing her nurse practitioner education.
She will be available beginning July 3, 2000 to see patients in our office. She is academically prepared, as described below, to provide comprehensive care, with a particular interest in the care of women, including gynecologic examinations and cancer risk-reduction counseling, as well as sports medicine and fitness. If you would like to schedule an appointment with Valerie, please call our office.
What is a Nurse Practitioner (NP)?
A Nurse Practitioner is an Advanced Practice Nurse who can provide primary health care to you and your family. A NP is a licensed Registered Nurse (RN) who has advanced education and clinical training in physical assessment and medical management, and has passed a national certification examination. Since the mid 1980's, newly certified NPs must have at least a Master's degree in nursing. Many NPs have extensive experience as RNs before undertaking a degree or certification program in primary care. For more information about the DNP degree, see the American Board of Comprehensive Care website.
Nurse Practitioners are often nationally certified in their specialty and are recognized as expert health care professionals who provide:
- High quality, cost effective care
- A unique, holistic approach to health care
- Care that results in a high level of patient satisfaction
Nurse Practitioners work with people of all ages and their families, providing information people need to make informed decisions about their health and lifestyle choices.
Why Choose a Nurse Practitioner?
Health care organizations, journal articles and government agencies continute to recognize the services provided by Nurse Practitioners.
Nurse Practitioners are primary health care providers who:
- Take the time to assess how your life style affects your health. NPs work with their patients to prevent illness and promote healthly lifestyle choices. They concentrate on early detection of illness and emphasize disease prevention by providing education for their patients.
- Have a holistic approach to care that does not focus strictly on diagnosing and treating an illness. NPs look at the patient's whole environment.
- Explain the details of health problems, medications and other topics to help people fully understand how to care for themselves. They also address people's concerns about their health care.
- Charge competitive fees which are covered by health insurance plans.
What Health Services Can a Nurse Practitioner Provide?
- Obtain medical histories and perform physical examinations
- Diagnose and treat acute health problems such as infections and injuries
- Diagnose, treat, and monitor chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure
- Order, perform, and interpret diagnostic studies such as lab work and x-rays
- Prescribe medications and other treatments
- Provide the full range of family planning services, including contraceptive counseling and prescribing
- Provide adolescent care, including screening, immunizations, counseling and anticipatory guidance for such issues as sexual activity and sexually transmitted diseases
- Provide health maintenance care for adults, including annual physicals
- Promote positive health behaviors and self-care skills through education and counseling
- Collaborate with physicians and other health care professionals
- Recognize complicated medical conditions which require referral
- Refer to and coordinate with community resources and agencies
Further Information
Further information on Nurse Practitioners can be obtained at the following sites:
As you can see, Valerie will add considerable value to the services we provide at Hightstown Medical Associates. Please join us in welcoming her to our team.