For many people interested in the nursing sector, an aspect of an Advanced Practice Nurse career is that this individual performs various tasks that were at one time only performed by doctors. In other words, someone in this role has a lot of responsibility and challenge, which for many makes the career all that more rewarding. Although an Advanced Practice Nurse can work in any number of medical fields, most focus on family medicine, oncology, and pediatrics.
Advanced Practice Nurse Career, Role of an Advanced Practice Nurse
Now, someone who holds a Master of Science in Nursing is considered an Advanced Practice Nurse or APN but as a part of this career opportunity are four specific options based on additional degree to include the following:
• Nurse Practitioner (NP) – This type of nurse provides basic patient care although the focus remains on a specific medical need or population. Unlike conventional nurses, a Nurse Practitioner has the ability and legal right to write out prescriptions for patients.
• Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) – At this level, the nurse has been highly trained in the administration of anesthesia regardless of surgical procedure, something that only a licensed Anesthesiologist would have done in the past.
• Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) – The third arena in which an Advanced Practice Nurse works is as a midwife, someone qualified to provide women’s healthcare, as well as services for labor, delivery, prenatal, and post-natal.
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) – The final option in which an Advanced Practice Nurse can work is this, a nurse that provides special care in a variety of areas, some to include neurology, OB/GYN, pediatrics, cardiology, oncology, and others.
As shown, someone who pursues an Advanced Practice Nurse is given tremendous responsibility much like that of a doctor. However, the exact role in which this nurse would fit could vary slightly depending on the state in which he or she works. This type of nurse can diagnose, as well as treat a range of acute and chronically ill patients, as well as injuries, provide patient consultation, interpret laboratory results, create appropriate treatment strategies, and again, prescribe medication.
Advanced Practice Nurse Educational Requirements
As mentioned, being an advanced nursing career, at minimum the individual would need to hold a Master’s degree in nursing and would undergo Master’s level in-depth training that surpasses what is required for Registered Nurse licensing according to the area in which that person wants to work. Of course, this person would also need to hold any degree or certification, and complete any coursework or clinical training to coordinate with the specific area of interest. For example, if an Advanced Practice Nurse was interested in performing duties of a Certified Nurse Anesthetist, then the state would have various requirements.
Advanced Practice Nurse Salaries
As an upper scale nursing position, average salary for someone with approximately three years of experience as an Advanced Practice Nurse would earn between $75,000 and $100,000 while a person just starting out may earn around $50,000. Salary for this nursing position depends in part on the area of interest but also geographic location, the medical facility, and level of experience being offered.
Advanced Practice Nurse Opportunities
Due to the versatility that comes from an Advanced Practice Nurse career, it is expected that there will continue to be an abundance of opportunities in the future. This person is a key player and a vital part of any medical facility, therefore, just as an individual would have no problem finding a position such as this currently, the outlook for this particular nursing career is very promising and one expected to grow.
