Advanced Practice Nurse Career Guide and Counseling

Question: What is the difference between a Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Practice Nurse? I am thinking about going back to school to become a Nurse Practioner or Advanced Practice Nurse. I am trying to figure out what is the difference, and how does one become one? I am already have a BA in Psychology.

Answer: Excellent answer by Satin... Just thought I'd add a couple paragraphs from the Occupational Outlook Handbook.... "Most RNs work as staff nurses, providing critical health care services along with physicians, surgeons, and other health care practitioners. However, some RNs choose to become advanced practice nurses, who often are considered primary health care practitioners and work independently or in collaboration with physicians. For example, clinical nurse specialists provide direct patient care and expert consultations in one of many of the nursing specialties listed above. Nurse anesthetists administer anesthesia, monitor patient’s vital signs during surgery, and provide post-anesthesia care. Nurse midwives provide primary care to women, including gynecological exams, family planning advice, prenatal care, assistance in labor and delivery, and neonatal care. Nurse practitioners provide basic preventive health care to patients, and increasingly serve as primary and specialty care providers in mainly medically underserved areas. The most common areas of specialty for nurse practitioners are family practice, adult practice, women’s health, pediatrics, acute care, and gerontology; however, there are many other specialties. In most States, advanced practice nurses can prescribe medications. Some nurses have jobs that require little or no direct patient contact. Most of these positions still require an active RN license. Case managers ensure that all of the medical needs of patients with severe injuries and illnesses are met, including the type, location, and duration of treatment. Forensics nurses combine nursing with law enforcement by treating and investigating victims of sexual assault, child abuse, or accidental death. Infection control nurses identify, track, and control infectious outbreaks in health care facilities; develop methods of outbreak prevention and biological terrorism responses; and staff immunization clinics. Legal nurse consultants assist lawyers in medical cases by interviewing patients and witnesses, organizing medical records, determining damages and costs, locating evidence, and educating lawyers about medical issues. Nurse administrators supervise nursing staff, establish work schedules and budgets, and maintain medical supply inventories. Nurse educators teach student nurses and also provide continuing education for RNs. Nurse informaticists collect, store, and analyze nursing data in order to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and improve patient care. RNs also may work as health care consultants, public policy advisors, pharmaceutical and medical supply researchers and salespersons, and medical writers and editors." This page goes on to describe education, training, salary ranges, etc. My sister graduated with her master's in nursing this past Saturday...she'll take the nurse practioner state booards next spring..and then (OK, I am bragging)she'll have both the degree and certificate to practice as a nurse practitioner. Satin is right, do some exploring (volunteering, talking with nurses, etc). This is great advice. Perhaps contacting a local hospital or nursing college would be a good start...or start talking with one nurse you know..and ask her or him for others to talk to. I wish you well! Great question.

Question: What is the difference if any between an Advanced Practice Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, and Family Nurse Practit I would like to know the differences between the different types of nurse practitioners. Also, Clinical Nurse Specialists, what makes them so different? Is there any difference between an advanced practice nurse and a nurse practitioner? and/or a family nurse practitioner? Thanks in advance. Any information would be appreciated.

Answer: Jill has been basically correct, except that there are hospital based nurse practitioners. The Acute Care Nurse Practitioner works much like an intensivist and is occupied in ICUs and CCUs, and Neonatal Nurse Practitioners work in the newborn nursery setting. Psychiatric NPs may work with ambulatory or inpatient patients. The other NPs may make rounds in inpatient facilities as required by their position. Additionally, dependent on the state in which the nurse practitioner practices, they may or may not have a collaborating physician. There are states in which nurse practitioners open their own offices and have their own patient panels. The only requirement being that they must have a referral system set up for patients. Again as has been stated, a nurse who works in an expanded role beyond the traditional functions of the RN is considered an advanced practice nurse. This includes, midwifes, nurse anesthetist, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialist. The different types of nurse practitioners are basically based on the populations they see. Family Nurse Practitioners - All ages, generally acute minor and stable chronic conditions. They see a large number of same day patients, and may see any medical condition which comes through the door, but refer those with nonroutine conditions to specialty care. They also perform well woman and routine ob care as well as well child and infant care and care of the elderly if stable. (May also be seen working in specialty clinics if educated for the specialty) Similar role to a Family Practice Physician. Adult Nurse Practitioners - Generally work in Internal Medicine Clinics. They see patients over 18 years old. They will see same day as well as chronic conditions. Often the patients will have overlapping chronic conditions and may be less stable. (May also be seen in specialty clinics) Similar role to an Internal Medicine Physician Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Works in pediatric settings seeing patients up to 18 years old. Often sees children with more significant pediatric conditions than would be seen in a family medicine clinic. (May also specialize but will not see patients over 18 even if in a specialty situation) Similar role to a Pediatrician. Womens Health NP - (Sometimes called OB/GYN NP) they work primarily in OB/GYN settings, fertility and family planning clinics. Primary focus is on family planning, womens health and routine OB care. Similar to an OB/GYN Physician except they do not deliver infants or perform surgical procedures. Neonatal NP - Works in a newborn nursery with infants, generally caring for infants who are less critical than those followed by neonatal intensivist. Similar role to a Neonatologist Acute Care NP- Often confused with the Clinical Nurse Specialist, they work in ICUs and CCUs with critically ill patients, usually in conjucntion with a hospital-based intensivist. Similar role to an Intensivist Geriatric NP- Works with patients over 60 years of age, usually on multiple medications with overlapping medical conditions, also often makes rounds at long term nursing facilities. Similar role to a Geriatrician Psychiatric NP- work with patients with mental health concerns, in ambulatory and inpatient settings. Similar role to a Psychiatrist.

Question: what is an Advanced Practice Pediatric Nurse? i want to know what an advanced practice pediatric nurse is and what the difference between this and a Pediatric nurse and a Pediatric nurse Practionier. any info and or a website to get this info would be great. thank you.

Answer: An Advanced Practice pediatric nurse is the same thing as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner for the most part (unless they are a pediatric nurse specialist). This is a midlevel position, that is a masters (after a BSRN and some experience), and functions more like a doctor--diagnosis, see patients, write prescriptions etc, usually in an office practice (but can be hospital based depending on the hospital). A pediatric nurse--is a nurse that works in the hospital usually with children--doing nursing care tasks. This is a LVN/LPN or RN position with the 2-4 years nursing school. So one is more like a doctor, and the other is a nurse.

Question: To become a Advanced-Practice Nurse how long do you have to go to college? Curious how much is their salary? The money really doesn't effect my decision I just was curious to know what it is in the New England area of the united states.

Answer: takes about 2-3 years beyond a bachelors degree in nursing which in itself takes about 3-4 years to complete. but the pay is very well. especially if you become a nurse practioner (make $80,000+), nurse anestheist (make $90,000+) or mid-wife (make $70,000+).

Question: What's the difference between a Nurse Practitioner and an Advanced Practice Nurse?

Answer: An Advanced Practice Nurse means that they have their Masters Degree. There are many types of Advanced Practice Nurses: * Nurse Practitioner (or also called "Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner" - APNP) * Clinical Nurse Specialist * Nurse Midwife * Nurse Anesthetist Different states have different laws on whether or not a nurse with their masters degree can prescribe meds. In the state where I live: once they pass a test, nurse practitoners can write their own prescriptions (overseen by a physician; but not consulted for every prescription they write), and can write for controlled substances. Some states do not allow nurse practioners to write prescriptions, some only allow for certain medications and not others (such as opiate pain medications). There's no such thing as "class one" drugs in the US. Well, actually there is, but it includes marijuana, herion - anything that has no medicinal value and is highly addictive and illegal. CII drugs (controlled substance 2) includes percocet, ritalin, and other highly addictive medications with legit medicinal value. CIII includes vicodin, tylenol #3, and other moderate pain medications.

Question: define advanced practice nurse-and what they do? nurses in advanced practice

Answer: Like the previous person said, this sounds as if you are describing a nurse practitioner. Having undertaken advanced training, nurse practitioners are allowed to prescribe certain drugs, give medical advice and are often in charge of posts where emergency care is being given so they are able to operate without having to consult a doctor every five minutes.

Question: What addition education is needed to obtain an addtional subspecialty area in advanced practice nursing? FNP/MSN to GNP/MSN what addtional studies are required?

Answer: It varies from state to state. Go to your local college and talk to their career counselor. They will tell you everything you need to know.

Question: Advanced practice nursing: It DOES matter where you study, right? although online degrees and degrees from 3rd and 4th tier universities are technically equivalent to that of a well-respected 1st tier university, it DOES matter where studies are completed, right? It just seems to me that if you are educated somewhere with higher standards, you will have a more comprehensive knowledge base. Am I wrong?

Answer: NO, you are correct. I know a dozen NPs that went to the (same or similar) school for their NP and they were HORRIBLE & not one could find a NP job and one even lost her license for NP within a year for gross medical misconduct. One was told by the place she worked as a RN they would not let her work as a NP until hell froze over. So, yes, at this level, you need a SOLID medical base and all the training & education you can get--not some easy pass through.

Question: Neonatal Advance Practice Nurse? I want to become a Neonatal Nurse. Is that 4 years for bachelors then 2 for the masters degree? And what if I wanted to become an Advance Practice Nurse? How much time after the 6 years does that require? Thank you so much for the help. =]

Answer: Yes, it's four years to get your BSN and then two more years to get your MSN so you can become a nurse practitioner. If you actually want to become an Advanced Practice Nurse, that will require you to get your DNP (doctorate in nursing practice). Those programs are usually an additional two-four years after your MSN.

Question: What is the most popular nurse job and how much do they earn? Advanced practice nurses, nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists.

Answer: an anesthesiologist makes amost 15,000 dollars more a year