Advanced Practice Nurse Work Information: Education & Training Requirements, Job Outlook and Salary
Submitted by: Gypsy Santiago
Job Overview: Advanced practice nurses, also known as APNs, are nurses who have completed advanced educational practice after the two- or four-year basic nursing education for Registered Nurses (RNs). APNs are categorized into four specializations: nurse practitioners (NPs), nursemidwives (NMs), nurse anesthetists (NAs) and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), each with varying tasks and requirements.
Education, Training and Knowledge Requirements: If you want to be an APN, you should obtain above average grades in high school and obtain a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in nursing. If you wish to teach nursing, a master’s degree is necessary. If you’re interested in nursing research, you need to pursue a Ph.D. Certification is needed before you can work as an APN, but requirements vary depending on your APN classification.
Skills & Abilities: To become successful in this field, an advanced practice nurse should be non-judgmental, understanding, caring and has the ability to empathize with patients. Other important skills of an APN include organization and multitasking skills, strong written and verbal communication skills, observational skills and interpersonal skills. He/she should also be highly knowledgeable in mathematics and science, be physically fit and emotionally mature.
Duties: The work of an advanced practice nurse varies widely on the classification and education completed.
The tasks of nurse practitioners focus on health assessment, disease prevention, patient education, counseling and health maintenance. They may work independently or within a health care facility or doctor’s office. Nurse anesthetists, who work alongside anesthesiologists, help in providing sedation, anesthesia, pain management and care of patients during, before and after giving anesthesia. Nurse midwives help women throughout the process of childbearing, which includes conceiving, childbirth and post-pregnancy care.
The tasks of Clinical nurse specialists (CNS) vary widely, but they generally cover clinical teaching, research, nursing staff management and clinical practice. They usually specialize in a particular condition, such as AIDS, cancer, diabetes, or other health problems. If you want more flexibility with your career, you should think about pursuing to be a Clinical nurse leader (CNL), since they are the ones who can transfer to various settings, including management, patient care, leadership, administration, and other functions.
Earnings & Job Outlook: Advanced practice nurses find work in clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, nursing schools and other educational institutions, mental health and long-term care facilities, offices of physicians, military and private companies. The U.S. Department of Labor expects shortages in employment in this field over the next several years, but those with years of experience won’t have a problem landing jobs. The salary of APNs may range between $40,000 to up to $127,000 per year, depending on the classification, experience, location of work and industry of the company.
Gypsy Santiago is a professional resume writer and career search strategy/career branding coach with years of experience in assisting job seekers prepare for the job market. She helps create career-targeted resumes, provides useful tips about career transition, offers future career ideas and guide jobseekers about effective job search techniques.
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Word Count: 481 Date: Sat, 25 Sep 2010 Time: 10:06 PM
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