Advanced Practice Nurse

Advanced practice nurses (APNs) are registered nurses who receive additional academic and clinical training, usually at the master's level, in one of four different health care specialty areas. The four career paths are: nurse practitioner (NP), certified nurse-midwife (CNM), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), and certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Each area may also contain sub-specialties. Some nurses prefer to work with patients in a particular age group, such as children or older adults. Others may choose to specialize with patients who have a specific condition such as neurological disease, heart problems, pregnancy, diabetes, and emotional problems. Advanced practice nurses often serve as the primary health care provider. They may work independently or in collaboration with members of the health care team to provide care for people who are sick, injured, or hospitalized. Detailed descriptions of each of the four types of advanced practice nurses follow.

Basic Requirements
All advanced practice nurses must meet the following basic requirements regardless of which type of APN specialty is chosen. All APNs must be licensed registered professional nurses, have completed an Advanced Educational Program of study approved by the Texas State Board of Examiners, have received certification in a specialty area, have received approval for recognition as an Advanced Practice Nurse by the Texas State Board of Nurse Examiners, and have received optional approval for limited prescriptive authority by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners. A certification examination given by the Texas State Board of Nurse Examiners must be passed in addition to the NCLEX-RN examination given to registered nurses.

Specialization Certification
The American Nurses Credentialing Center of the American Nurses Association and other professional organizations certify registered nurses with master's degrees, based on predetermined standards such as passing a written examination and practice time in a specified area. This voluntary certification provides tangible recognition of professional achievement in a defined functional or clinical area of nursing.

Salary
Salary depends on education, speciality, geography, job setting, and experience. Current salaries range from $38,000 - $92,000.

Professional Associations
Texas Nurses Association
7600 Burnet Rd., Ste. 440
Austin, TX 78767-1292
512/452-0654 or 800/TNA-2022