What are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs)?

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are defined by their completion of advanced education and training beyond that of a standard registered nurse (RN). This includes specialized roles such as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives. The advanced education equips APRNs with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide a higher level of clinical care, perform assessments, make diagnoses, interpret diagnostic tests, and initiate treatment plans.

This distinction is important as it sets APRNs apart from registered nurses who typically have not pursued additional education and training. The roles that APRNs fill are crucial in many healthcare settings, addressing patient needs with a greater scope of practice, often including prescriptive authority and direct patient care responsibilities. This makes them vital components of the healthcare system, particularly in primary care and specialty practices.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the qualifications or roles of APRNs, as they either describe the foundational role of nurses without advanced training, focus on administrative roles that do not involve direct patient care, or refer to healthcare aides who have limited responsibilities compared to APRNs.