Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsGeneral ResponsibilitiesNurse PractitionerCertified Nurse-MidwivesNurse AnesthetistsClinical Nurse SpecialistsRelated Providers
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
General Responsibilities
Nurse Practitioner
Certified Nurse-Midwives
Nurse Anesthetists
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Related Providers
Advanced practice nurses (APNs), also known as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), arenurseswho have obtained advanced training and certification, with either a master’s degree or a doctorate in nursing.
There are four types of APNs: nurse practitioners (NPs), clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), and certified nurse anesthetists (CNAs).
This article explains what different advanced practice nurses do, including their roles, responsibilities, qualifications, and certifications.
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Responsibilities of an APN
APNs are a higher level of nursing professionals. They can perform many of the tasks that were once the sole domain of medical doctors (physicians). Among other things, they can treat and diagnose illnesses, advise the public on health issues, and manage other nurses or healthcare professionals.
APNs hold at least a master’s degree in nursing after completing the education and licensing required for all registered nurses (RNs). They work in many healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, private practices, and long-term care facilities. Some also work in educational or healthcare policy settings.
Anurse practitioner (NP)is a registered nurse who has advanced education and clinical training in a healthcare specialty. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, there are approximately 385,000 NPs in the United States.
NPs operate with greater autonomy than RNs. Currently, NPs can practice independently in 27 states and the District of Columbia and with limited physician supervision in the other 23 states.
Their responsibilities include:
Over 70% of NPs function as theprimary care provider (PCP), while others opt to deliver specialty healthcare in the following fields of practice:
NPs must first obtain a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree before sitting for a certification exam. Certification is available through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Licensing requirements vary from state to state.
Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) provide primary,gynecological, and reproductive healthcare to female patients.
CNMs work withobstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs)and are trained to provide a broad range of services for women and newborns, including:
CNMs are granted the authority to write prescriptions in all 50 states and D.C., albeit with limitations on prescribing controlled substances in some states.
Currently, 27 states and the District of Columbia authorize CNMs to practice independently within the scope of their certification. Three states require physician supervision, while the remaining 20 require a signed agreement with a supervising physician to deliver specific midwifery services (such as intrapartum care).
Licensing occurs at the state level and falls under specific state laws.
Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) provideanesthesiaand pain management services. CRNAs practice in hospitals, surgical centers, and office-based settings, delivering all types of anesthesia-related care for surgical, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures.
CRNAs provide anesthesia for all specialties, includinggeneral surgery, obstetrics,cardiologytrauma,orthopedics, dentistry,gastroenterology, andplastic surgery.
CRNAs are generally authorized to:
CRNAs typically work alongsideanesthesiologistsbut can sometimes be the sole anesthesia professionals delivering care to the military, rural, and medically underserved communities,
Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs)have advanced clinical expertise in a specialized area of nursing, ensuring optimal practices and organizational oversight for hospitals and other healthcare setting. They are involved in three spheres of practice:
In most states, a CNS must obtain certification based on a specific population group, either adult/geriatric, pediatric, or neonatal (newborns). Certification is available through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
Differences Between APNs and Other Healthcare Professionals
APNs are essential healthcare providers with specific roles and responsibilities. While some of their functions overlap with other providers likephysiciansand physician assistants (PA), they operate within a specific framework to support, rather than replace, these providers.
APNs vs. Physicians
APNs perform many of the key functions of a physician, but they are not physicians. An APN holds either an MSN or DNP degree, both of which are non-medical degrees.
While APNs undergo six to seven years of education, physicians must complete 11 to 12 years, including four years of medical school to earn an MD (doctor of medicine) orDO (doctor of osteopathic medicine)degree.
Because of the education and training, physicians have unimpeded authorization and autonomy to prescribe medications or perform procedures that APNs cannot.
APNs vs. Physician Assistants
PAs perform many of the same functions as an APN, including:
APNs vs. Registered Nurses
Registered nurses (RNs) must obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree to practice.In contrast, APNs have master’s or doctorate degrees after obtaining the BSN.
APNs can also coordinate and supervise an entire medical team.
Summary
Advanced practice nurses (APNs) are highly qualified nursing professionals who can practice independently or with limited physician supervision, depending on state law. They operate on a higher level than registered nurses (RNs) after having obtained a master’s or doctorate degree.
APNs are qualified to diagnose diseases, design and dispense treatments, order and interpret tests, and direct patient care. There are four types of APNs: nurse practitioners (NPs), certified nurse-midwives (CNAs), certified nurse anesthetists (CNAs), and certified nurse specialists (CNSs).
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Nurses Association.Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).American Association of Nurse Practitioners.NP fact sheet.American Association of Nurse Practitioners.State practice environment.American College of Nurse-Midwives.Full practice authority.American Medical Association.State law chart: certified professional midwife scope of practice.MedlinePlus.Certified nurse-midwife.American Association of Nurse Anesthesiologists.Scope of nurse anesthesia practice.National Institutes of Health.Nursing at the NIH Clinical Center: certified nursing specialists.National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists.What is a CNS?American Medical Association.What’s the difference between physicians and nurse practitioners?American Academy of Physician Associates.What is a PA?Bureau of Labor Statistics.Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Nurses Association.Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).American Association of Nurse Practitioners.NP fact sheet.American Association of Nurse Practitioners.State practice environment.American College of Nurse-Midwives.Full practice authority.American Medical Association.State law chart: certified professional midwife scope of practice.MedlinePlus.Certified nurse-midwife.American Association of Nurse Anesthesiologists.Scope of nurse anesthesia practice.National Institutes of Health.Nursing at the NIH Clinical Center: certified nursing specialists.National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists.What is a CNS?American Medical Association.What’s the difference between physicians and nurse practitioners?American Academy of Physician Associates.What is a PA?Bureau of Labor Statistics.Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Nurses Association.Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).American Association of Nurse Practitioners.NP fact sheet.American Association of Nurse Practitioners.State practice environment.American College of Nurse-Midwives.Full practice authority.American Medical Association.State law chart: certified professional midwife scope of practice.MedlinePlus.Certified nurse-midwife.American Association of Nurse Anesthesiologists.Scope of nurse anesthesia practice.National Institutes of Health.Nursing at the NIH Clinical Center: certified nursing specialists.National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists.What is a CNS?American Medical Association.What’s the difference between physicians and nurse practitioners?American Academy of Physician Associates.What is a PA?Bureau of Labor Statistics.Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses.
American Nurses Association.Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).
American Association of Nurse Practitioners.NP fact sheet.
American Association of Nurse Practitioners.State practice environment.
American College of Nurse-Midwives.Full practice authority.
American Medical Association.State law chart: certified professional midwife scope of practice.
MedlinePlus.Certified nurse-midwife.
American Association of Nurse Anesthesiologists.Scope of nurse anesthesia practice.
National Institutes of Health.Nursing at the NIH Clinical Center: certified nursing specialists.
National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists.What is a CNS?
American Medical Association.What’s the difference between physicians and nurse practitioners?
American Academy of Physician Associates.What is a PA?
Bureau of Labor Statistics.Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses.
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