Nurse practitioners (NPs) in states like Colorado and New Mexico have the authority to practice independently, including the ability to write prescriptions and order specialized studies like heart scans, MRI, CT scans, etc. They will co-manage patients with specialists when needed. They hold advanced practice degrees, such as NP-C (Nurse Practitioner-Certified), and undergo rigorous post-graduate clinical training. NPs provide comprehensive care, performing physical exams, diagnosing illnesses, managing chronic and acute conditions, and as functional medicine specialists, also identify root cause of underlying illness to better serve their patients.

Shirley Olson, NP-C, IFMCP, is not only board-certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner but also by the Institute for Functional Medicine as a Functional Medicine specialist.