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What Does an Advanced Practice Nurse Do?

Advanced practice nurses work much more independently and have more autonomy than registered nurses. They can work independently or in collaboration with doctors, and are able to prescribe medication in many states. There are four main types of advanced practices nurses:

• Clinical nurse specialists, who provide direct patient care and consultations
• Nurse practitioners, who provide primary and specialty care in a variety of fields
• Nurse-midwives, who offer prenatal care, family planning, and gynecological exams
• Nurse anesthetists, who provide anesthesia and related pain care.

Education & Training Required to Become an Advanced Practice Nurse

Because advanced practice nurses operate independently and deal with more decisions than typical registered nurses, degree programs in advanced practice nursing are master's degrees or higher. If you want to become an advanced practice nurse, you'll also need to pass an exam in the specialty area you've chosen and be willing to complete advanced clinical practice requirements.

Typical Characteristics of an Advanced Practice Nurse

Like all nurses, advanced practice nurses must be compassionate, emotionally stable, and detail-oriented. However, because of their greater degree of autonomy, advanced practice nurses must handle responsibility and leadership well and be able to able to make quick, accurate diagnoses.

Because advanced practice nursing requires a master's degree, it is also important that advanced practice nurses be willing to learn at a more advanced level. Online degree programs can help RNs earn the graduate degree necessary to pursue advanced practice nursing.

High Demand for Advanced Practice Nurses

If you're interested in advanced practice nursing, now could be a great time to pursue this career. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that advanced practice nurses will be in high demand between 2008 and 2018, as advanced practice nurses take over more of the jobs previously performed by physicians. The job outlook is great, and nursing is a profession that pays well: according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a nurse is $65,130. Research by the journal ADVANCE for Nurse Practitioners found that full-time advanced practice nurses could earn significantly more.