apn nurse 2024-2025
apn nurse 2024-2025
Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) are registered nurses who have completed additional education and training to become specialized in one of four roles: Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP), Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), or Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). Here is some information on APN nurses:
- Education: APN nurses must first become registered nurses by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). They must then complete additional education and training specific to their chosen APN role. This can include earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, or a post-masters certificate.
- Roles: APN nurses have advanced skills and knowledge in their chosen specialty, and can perform tasks that are typically reserved for physicians. Depending on their role, APN nurses can conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries, prescribe medications, order and interpret diagnostic tests, provide patient education and counseling, and perform procedures such as suturing wounds or administering anesthesia.
- Certification: APN nurses must be certified by a recognized certification board specific to their chosen specialty, such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). Certification typically requires passing an exam and meeting continuing education requirements.
- Job Outlook and Salary: The job outlook for APN nurses is positive, with demand expected to increase due to an aging population and a growing emphasis on preventative care. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for nurse practitioners, including CNPs and CNSs, was $117,670 as of May 2020.
What does an APN do?
The duties and responsibilities of an APN can change depending on the kind of healthcare facility they work for. Their most typical responsibilities include:
- Performing detailed psychological, functional, psychosocial, and developmental tests on patients Maintaining accurate patient medical histories and records Personalizing treatment plans for patients Administering medications and non-pharmacological treatments Following proper patient privacy practices Ensuring the health care facility remains compliant with regulatory measures Participating in research studies Offering counseling to patients and their families Referring patients to other medical facilities
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