Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

What are the benefits of finishing a post-graduate program?

Well, one of the benefits is that you can practice your profession with a more advanced entitlement. (Just in case your RN status isn’t enough)

Nurses who are post-graduate degree holders, such as Master of Science in Nursing, can work almost independently – although sometimes under the direction of a physician. Their function expand to broader responsibilities and obligations, as well as they are expected to have more extensive knowledge and more advanced expertise.

They are who we call Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) and their responsibilities have evolved all through out the years.

If an RN is responsible in providing general care, APRNs specialize on a field. their specialization may be as a Nurse Midwife, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist or Clinical Nurse Specialist.

What do they exactly do? In general, they:

• Establish rapport and communicate with their patients.
• Provide care to clients in a holistic approach.
• Guide clients all throughout the treatment course, such as in giving complex medications.
• Prescribe medications and treatment, including the specifics (such as dosage and duration of treatment)
• Conduct diagnostic exams and refer them to appropriate facilities (where applicable) to ensure continuity of care.
• Conduct physical examinations and assess medical histories to provide comprehensive health care.
• Create care plans with the clients, making it client-centered.
• Provide education to clients, such as but not limited to their existing health conditions, care need and self-help activities.
• Conduct researches.

Take a look:

So if you’re thinking to be one, you should:

• Obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
• Pass the licensure exam and have a Registered Nurse license.
• Obtain a Master’s Degree in Nursing.
• Get a certification to become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse at American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or American Nurses Credentialing Center (AANC).

Job outlook and salary:

The United States of America Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecast a 31% increase in job demand in a span of 10 years (2016-26), which is much faster than average.

APRNs such as Nurse Midwives, Nurse Anesthetists and Nurse Practitioners has a median wage of $107,460. How much more for APRNs who earn more than that, ayt?

Want tis as your future profession? Share us your thoughts here.