An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) is a nurse with post-graduate education and training in nursing. APRNs are prepared with advanced didactic and clinical education, knowledge, skills, and scope of practice in nursing. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing, along with other nursing authorities and organizations, recommend the use of the term and acronym APRN as described in the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation, Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, and Education. APRNs are intended to demonstrate effective integration of theory, practice, and experiences along with increasing degrees of autonomy in judgments and interventions, while remaining under physician supervision.

APRN education forms the basis of four recognized general areas of specialization: Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM), and Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP). Each specialty can have concentrations in a specific field or patient population. APRNs hold at least a Master’s degree, in addition to the initial nursing education and licensing required for all Registered Nurses (RNs).

APRNs are often primary care providers and are at the forefront of providing preventive care services to the public. They treat and diagnose 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 can diagnose and treat disease just like an MD or a PA for the most part. At minimum, an APRN has a registered nurse license (RN), hands-on clinical experience, and a master’s degree in the nursing field. APRNs are also supervised by a licensed MD.