An advanced practice registered nurse (or APRN) is a nursing professional with a post-graduate degree, either master’s or doctoral, in the field of medicine. APRNs diagnose and treat patients in a variety of settings, including medical offices, hospitals, and surgical centers. The demand for APRNs has grown in recent years, as an effective means of providing primary medical care during a period of physician shortages.

Like physicians, many APRNs practice medicine independently, though with some limitations based on state law (for example, restrictions on prescribing medications). An APRN’s medical education is typically less extensive than a physician’s, leading to a focus on routine and preventive care rather than surgical or more specialized medical procedures. At a minimum, an APRN must complete a two- to three-year master’s degree at an accredited institution, followed by medical licensing and board certification.

What Does an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Do?

Advanced practice registered nurses provide many of the same services as physicians and physician assistants in office, clinic, and hospital settings, with some variation by state. APRNs:

• Assess and diagnose patient conditions
• Record medical histories
• Conduct physical exams
• Order lab tests
• Provide patient education and preventive care
• Refer patients to specialists
• Coordinate treatment plans

What Types of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses Are There?

Each APRN trains in one of four major roles:

• Certified Nurse Midwife: An APRN focused on women’s reproductive health, including pregnancy, childbirth, and post-partum care.
• Certified Nurse Practitioner: An APRN who provides a wide range of patient care.
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist: An APRN specializing in anesthesia and its administration.
• Clinical Nurse Specialist: An APRN with advanced training in nursing practice.

In addition, APRNs are certified for providing care in a particular segment of the medical population:

• Neonatal medicine (newborns)
• Pediatric care (children and young adults)
• Family practice (all ages)
• Gerontology (elderly adults)
• Women’s health
• Psychiatric/mental health

When Should You See an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse?

Seeing an advanced practice registered nurse makes sense anytime you need care for a routine illness or injury, and you don’t have a regular doctor or yours isn’t available. You might make an appointment with a APRN if you’re experiencing:

• A mild allergic reaction
• Cold or flu-like symptoms
• Slow-healing cuts or bruises
• Constipation
• Fatigue or feelings of anemia
• Hard-to-manage pain
• Headaches
• Respiratory issues
• Stomach upset, vomiting, or diarrhea

In some communities, APRNs are the first-in-line resource for persons with routine medical concerns.

What Can I Expect at My Visit to an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse?

Your first appointment with a nurse practitioner will lay the foundation for future visits. Your APRN will ask about your symptoms, record your family history, and perform a physical exam. As part of the exam, he or she will document your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and glucose (blood sugar) levels.

The APRN will also ask you lifestyle questions, for example, whether you smoke, what your diet is like, and how much alcohol you consume. He or she may want to schedule you for preventive care or to update your vaccination record. With this information, your APRN will assess the major risks to your health, the appropriate steps to take, and what resources you require to manage a current condition or to prevent a future illness.

If you have health questions, are experiencing symptoms, or have a family medical history that concerns you, the Baptist Health primary care team is ready to serve.