An APRN, or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, is a nursing professional who has met advanced educational and clinical practice requirements. APRNs hold at least a Masters degree, in addition to the initial nursing education and licensing required for all Registered Nurses (RNs). They are licensed through a state board of nursing to provide patient care within their role and patient population focus, and in many states have the authority to prescribe medication and practice independently without physician oversight. APRNs include nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives. They play a pivotal role in the future of healthcare, often serving as primary care providers and providing preventive care services to the public. APRNs diagnose and treat illnesses, advise the public on health issues, manage chronic disease, and engage in continuous education to remain ahead of any technological, methodological, or other developments in the field.
APRNs services range from providing primary, acute, and specialty health care across the lifespan through assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of illnesses and injuries. They are at the forefront of providing preventive care services to the public. APRNs are increasingly being relied on to meet the demand for primary and specialty healthcare practitioners, especially in rural areas and other areas underserved by physicians.
The four APRN roles currently defined in practice are:
- Nurse Practitioners (NP)
- Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS)
- Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
- Certified Nurse Anesthetists (CNA)
APRNs can diagnose and treat disease just like an MD or a PA for the most part. However, APRNs are licensed through a state board of nursing, while MDs are licensed through a state medical board, and PAs are licensed through a state medical board or a state board of osteopathic medicine.
