NR 500
Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing
Foundational Concepts and Advanced Practice Roles
Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing
“The concepts of accountability, higher-level decision-making and autonomy are
synonymous with advanced practice, resulting in a unique nursing role in comparison
with other frontline nurses” (Kerr & Macaskill, 2020.) Advanced practice nursing is a
master’s degree diploma that allows nurses to not only care for patients but also be a part
of the diagnosis and treatment plan. We are able to do this by obtaining education and
acquiring knowledge that extends that of a baccalaureate degree. “An advanced practice
nurse (APN) is defined as one who has acquired, through additional education, the expert
knowledge base, complex decision-making skills and clinical competencies for expanded
nursing practice” (Kerr & Macaskill, 2020.) There are four different types of APNs, a
Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP), a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Certified
Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), and a Certified Nurse Midwife. Choosing which
field you would like to work in is key. Therefore, in this paper we will be discussing the
different types of APNs and the training needed to receive these diplomas. I will also be
discussing why I chose the CNP programs, the obstacles and advantages I will face as I
transition from a BSN to a Master’s degree.
Types of Advanced Practice Nursing
As mentioned above there are four different types of advanced practice nursing,
each specializing in an area. All four require registered nurses to undergo a national
examination in order to have prescriptive authority. Certified Registered Nurse
Anesthetists (CRNAs) specializes in the administration of anesthesia for patients
, undergoing surgery or certain medical procedures. CRNAs are involved in caring for
patients before, during, and after the procedures. CRNAs are able to find work in
hospitals operating rooms, labor and delivery floors, and emergency departments. Some
also are able to find work in pain management offices helping patients with chronic and
acute pain. Therefore they hold the legal capability to fill out prescription medications to
aid patients with pain. “Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced
practice registered nurses (APRNs) licensed as independent practitioners who plan and
deliver anesthesia, pain management, and related care to patients of all health
complexities across the lifespan” (AANA, 2020.) CRNAs must first hold a registered
nursing license and must also have intensive care unit experience before being able to
attend graduate school.
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) are advanced practice nurses who specialize in
caring for women's reproductive system, childbearing, and postpartum care. CNMs are
able to care for patients in a variety of ways. For example gynecology, family planning,
preconception, during pregnancy, childbirth and in the postpartum period, and are able to
treat their patients’ partners for sexually transmitted infections (ACNM, 2011.) CNMs
also have the knowledge to care for newborn during the postpartum stage. Most CNMs
are independent providers who have the authority to prescribe medications. Unlike the
other three roles, midwives are also able to practice in patients' homes, as well as in
hospitals, doctor’s offices and clinics. According to an article written by Nygaard &
Kesmodel in 2018, “midwives typically highlight that giving birth is a natural process,
and for women with uncomplicated pregnancies the risk of complications is not higher at
home.” CNMs, as well as CRNAs, CNSs and CNPs, are required to hold an RN license
and clinical experience prior to obtaining a CNM certification.
Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing
Foundational Concepts and Advanced Practice Roles
Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing
“The concepts of accountability, higher-level decision-making and autonomy are
synonymous with advanced practice, resulting in a unique nursing role in comparison
with other frontline nurses” (Kerr & Macaskill, 2020.) Advanced practice nursing is a
master’s degree diploma that allows nurses to not only care for patients but also be a part
of the diagnosis and treatment plan. We are able to do this by obtaining education and
acquiring knowledge that extends that of a baccalaureate degree. “An advanced practice
nurse (APN) is defined as one who has acquired, through additional education, the expert
knowledge base, complex decision-making skills and clinical competencies for expanded
nursing practice” (Kerr & Macaskill, 2020.) There are four different types of APNs, a
Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP), a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Certified
Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), and a Certified Nurse Midwife. Choosing which
field you would like to work in is key. Therefore, in this paper we will be discussing the
different types of APNs and the training needed to receive these diplomas. I will also be
discussing why I chose the CNP programs, the obstacles and advantages I will face as I
transition from a BSN to a Master’s degree.
Types of Advanced Practice Nursing
As mentioned above there are four different types of advanced practice nursing,
each specializing in an area. All four require registered nurses to undergo a national
examination in order to have prescriptive authority. Certified Registered Nurse
Anesthetists (CRNAs) specializes in the administration of anesthesia for patients
, undergoing surgery or certain medical procedures. CRNAs are involved in caring for
patients before, during, and after the procedures. CRNAs are able to find work in
hospitals operating rooms, labor and delivery floors, and emergency departments. Some
also are able to find work in pain management offices helping patients with chronic and
acute pain. Therefore they hold the legal capability to fill out prescription medications to
aid patients with pain. “Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced
practice registered nurses (APRNs) licensed as independent practitioners who plan and
deliver anesthesia, pain management, and related care to patients of all health
complexities across the lifespan” (AANA, 2020.) CRNAs must first hold a registered
nursing license and must also have intensive care unit experience before being able to
attend graduate school.
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) are advanced practice nurses who specialize in
caring for women's reproductive system, childbearing, and postpartum care. CNMs are
able to care for patients in a variety of ways. For example gynecology, family planning,
preconception, during pregnancy, childbirth and in the postpartum period, and are able to
treat their patients’ partners for sexually transmitted infections (ACNM, 2011.) CNMs
also have the knowledge to care for newborn during the postpartum stage. Most CNMs
are independent providers who have the authority to prescribe medications. Unlike the
other three roles, midwives are also able to practice in patients' homes, as well as in
hospitals, doctor’s offices and clinics. According to an article written by Nygaard &
Kesmodel in 2018, “midwives typically highlight that giving birth is a natural process,
and for women with uncomplicated pregnancies the risk of complications is not higher at
home.” CNMs, as well as CRNAs, CNSs and CNPs, are required to hold an RN license
and clinical experience prior to obtaining a CNM certification.
