What They Do:
The role for an advanced practice nurse falls between an RN and a physician. APRNs diagnose and manage short-term and long-term diseases, perform physical assessments, create treatment plans, and prescribe medications. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.
Types of APRN:
- Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
- Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
Minimum Education Requirements:
- Must have an active, unrestricted license as a registered nurse
- Must have a work history as a registered nurse for at least 2,000 hours
- Must have a Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing degree
- Must have a Masters of Science in Nursing degree
- Must have a state and/or national certification in advanced practice nursing
- In addition to the minimum of 5-7 years of nursing experience needed, nurse practitioner candidates will also complete a 2 year Clinical Masters Degree course.
Career Info Sources Include:
