The NP is an expert in pathophysiology, physical assessment and diagnosis, pharmacology and exercises authority in health promotion and disease management. The NP functions as a member of a multidisciplinary health care team and provides a wide range of patient services to a specific patient population across the continuum of health care. By utilizing the nursing process, scientific reasoning and critical problem solving, NPs practice within the scope of responsibilities and prescriptive authority defined by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and the Medical Staff Executive at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center.