An APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) is a registered nurse who has completed graduate-level education (such as a Master's or Doctoral degree) and obtained specialized certification and licensure. APRNs have advanced clinical knowledge and skills that allow them to provide direct patient care, including assessment, diagnosis, and management of health problems. They have greater autonomy than regular registered nurses and may prescribe medications and treatments, depending on state regulations. There are four recognized APRN roles:
- Certified Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
APRN practice involves expert knowledge, complex decision-making, and clinical competencies to provide advanced healthcare services to individuals, groups, or communities across the lifespan. They maintain certification by passing national exams and continued competence evaluations. In summary, an APRN is an advanced nurse with postgraduate education and certification who can provide a higher level of care, including diagnosing and treating patients, compared to a regular registered nurse. They work in specialized roles such as nurse practitioner, midwife, anesthetist, or clinical specialist.
