As nurse practitioners we interface with the patient at point of care and often neglect to consider the individual in the context of a family unit. It is imperative that we consider family background, structure, and level of function when caring for the individual patient. The information that we glean from the patient will have a significant affect on the health and well-being of the patient, and it has the potential to improve the health of the family unit when the nurse practitioner collaborates with and involves the family in the framework of the treatment plan.