Many Roles of Nurse Practitioners

Nurse Practitioners begin as registered nurses andNurse Practitioner jobs:
obtain additional education and certifications. TheCertified Nurse Midwives (CNM) - provide prenatal
qualifications for certification vary by state. Nursecare, deliver babies, and provide post-partum care to
Practitioners must first gain experience as a registerednormal healthy women. A CNM must graduate from a
nurse, while working with patients along side anstate-approved school of nursing and pass a national
experienced Nursing Practitioner or physician. Theylicensing exam. A CNM must also hold at least a
may then apply to nursing schools that offer advancedMaster's of Nursing or higher degree.
practice programs.Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) -
Nurse Practitioner jobs are available in a wide varietyadminister anesthesia to keep patients pain free for all
of clinical settings such as hospitals, private physiciantypes of surgery in hospitals, doctor's offices, and
offices, schools, county health clinics, home health caredental practices. A CRNA is a registered nurse that
agencies, nursing homes, and even prisons.holds at least a master's degree and must also pass a
A Nursing Practitioner is allowed to exercise a greatnational certification examination.
deal of autonomy and independent judgment in herClinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) - deliver specialty care
practice. Most provide basic care focused on commonin a number of areas including: cardiology, oncology,
illnesses and injuries and in many states are authorizedneonatology, OB/GYN, pediatrics, neurology, and
to write prescriptions. Nursing Practitioners offermental health. The expertise of a CNS elevates the
greater access to primary health care at reducedquality of patient care. She anticipates and
costs. Some Nurse Practitioners specialize in treatingtroubleshoots problems and complications with an
patients long-term with common chronic conditionsemphasis on prevention.
including, high blood pressure, diabetes, and asthma. ASub-specialty Areas of Nursing
Nurse Practitioner has a strong focus on diseaseCertified Wound and Ostomy Nurse (CWON) -
prevention and patient education.provide expertise for patients and staff nurses in the
Other areas of advanced practice nursing available inarea of wound, ostomy and continence care.