HPV is the virus that causes most (99%) of cervical cancer. It is also extremely common- it is estimated that between 65-80% of the population have HPV. Not everyone has symptoms. Interestingly the strains that cause cervical cancer generally do not have the symptoms (namely condoloma or genital warts) and the ones that cause the symptoms do not typically cause cancer. There are multiple types with some being high risk and some being low risk.
The standard of care is for a woman to have her first pap smear at least three years after the first time she has sex or age 21, whichever comes first. Then pap smears should be performed annually until age 30. HPV is only tested for if the pap smear comes back abnormal. Then at age thirty a woman should be tested for HPV in addition to having a pap smear. If both pap smear and HPV test are negative then a pap smear should be performed only every three years and HPV test based on risk. If your HPV test came back positive your provider should have told you which type you have, high risk or low risk. Only women with abnormal pap smears are tested sooner or treated. HPV is a virus that in younger women (under 30) is often cleared completely and is never an issue. In older women it is more often problematic, but still only an issue in a very small percentage of the population.
Things that increase your risk of cervical cancer are smoking and sex with many partners. Most cases of cervical cancer are caught very early and entirely treatable. If you have additional questions you should definitely call your health care provider back and get some answers, that's what they are there for :) I am a women's health care provider and deal with this issue frequently.
Also, if you are unsatisfied with your curent provider (sounds like they are not very professional if the nurse is giving you a diagnosis- NOT OKAY-- and they are not answering all of your questions) Planned Parenthood is an excellent place to get women's health care because they specialize in it, unlike an OB/GYN who usually devotes most of their energy to OB.