Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing

Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing
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Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing
Advanced practice nursing roles play a vital role in the healthcare system, providing high-quality care to patients and helping to fill the gap in primary care created by shortages of physicians. In the United States, there are four recognized advanced practice nursing roles: nurse practitioner (NP), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), certified nurse-midwife (CNM), and certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) (Pastores et al., 2019). Each of these roles requires advanced education and training beyond that of a registered nurse (RN), as well as national certification and licensure. The purpose of this paper is to examine the CNP role in detail and to discuss the role transition from RN to APN. Specifically, this paper will describe the CNP role, including its educational preparation and work environment, and provide a rationale for choosing this role. After reviewing the four roles of advanced nursing practice, the CNP role will be the most effective as it will enable me to provide primary and preventive care for adults.
Four APN Roles
In the United States, four recognized roles of advanced nursing practice are the certified nurse practitioner (CNP), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), certified nurse-midwife (CNM), and certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) (Nowell et al., 2019). Each of these roles has its own unique set of responsibilities, educational requirements, and work environment.
CNPs
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are considered registered nurses who have received additional education and training that allows them to take up roles beyond their RN education (Auerbach et al., 2020). They are qualified to diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions, prescribe medications, and provide preventive care. NPs typically hold a master's or doctoral degree in nursing and are required to be nationally certified and licensed. NPs can work in various clinical and hospital settings, with their roles depending on existing state-level restrictions (Perloff et al., 2019).
CNSs
Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) are APRNs who have advanced education and clinical experience in a specialty area of nursing, such as pediatrics or oncology. They work to improve patient outcomes and the quality of care in their specialty area. CNSs typically hold a master's or doctoral degree in nursing and are required to be nationally certified and licensed. They can work in multiple healthcare settings.
CNMs
Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are APRNs who provide primary care to women throughout their lifespans, including gynecological exams, prenatal care, and delivery of babies (Pastores et al., 2019). CNMs typically hold a master's degree in nursing and are required to be nationally certified and licensed. They can work in hospitals, birthing centers, and other healthcare settings.
CRNAs
Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are APRNs who administer anesthesia and provide pain management services to patients. CRNAs collaborate with anesthesiologists and other surgical professionals and typically hold a master's degree in nursing. To practice, CRNAs are required to be nationally certified and licensed (Pastores et al., 2019). They can work in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and other healthcare settings.
The rationale for Choosing CNP Role
I have chosen to pursue the CNP role mainly due to the training that a CNP receives. Notably, I am drawn to the wide range of responsibilities that NPs have in providing healthcare services to patients. A significant aspect of NP that I find attractive is the CNPs’ role in the promotion of preventative healthcare. CNPs have the education and training to provide preventive care services, such as screenings, immunizations, and health risk assessments, and they often play a key role in helping patients maintain their health and prevent the onset of chronic conditions. As a CNP, I will have the opportunity to work with patients of all ages to help them maintain their health and prevent the onset of chronic conditions. Training as a CNP will allow me to specialize in public health preventive care and thus I will be able to achieve a positive impact on the health and well-being of my patients.
In addition, I am attracted to the CNPs role due to the high level of independence associated with the role. NPs often have more autonomy and independence in their practice compared to other nursing roles (Auerbach, Buerhaus, & Staiger, 2020). This is particularly appealing to me as I enjoy being able to make clinical decisions and having a greater degree of control over my work. The training will equip me with the ability to provide a wide range of healthcare services. In many states, CNPs have the authority to practice independently, without the supervision of a physician. However, the extent of the independence can vary depending on state regulations and the specific practice setting (Perloff et al., 2019). Some CNPs may work in collaborative practice arrangements with physicians, while others may have...