Running head: ROLES IN ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSING 1
Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing
Student Name
Chamberlain University
Fundamental Concepts and Applications
Dr. Kathryn Kay
September 15, 2019
, ROLES IN ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSING 2
Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing
Advance practice nurses provide and coordinate patient care. De Miranda, Manoel,
Rewa, Leonello & Camous Oliveira (2018), concluded in their research that an “APN is a
registered nurse who has acquired the expert knowledge base, complex decision-making skills
and clinical competencies for expanded practice” (p.717). The roles of advanced practice nurses
(APN) consist of 4 four categories, they include Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Clinical Nurse
Specialist (CNS), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), and Certified Nurse
Practitioners. Each role performs multiple functions in the clinical setting, which include
performing a physical examination, diagnosing patients, ordering pertinent labs and diagnostic
test and evaluating patient outcomes. As a Registered Nurse (RN) transitioning to the role of an
APN, there will be more autonomy, leadership skills displayed and in cooperate evidence-based
research into practice. The main purposes of this paper are to explore the roles and educational
background of APN and to discuss the transition of the RN role to the APN role.
Four APN Roles
The roles of the APN are diverse the first role will explore is the Certified Nurse Midwife
(CNM). According to Joel (2017), “CNM are registered nurses who are primary healthcare
providers to women throughout the lifespan” (p. 28). The service they offer includes, prescribing
medication, providing prenatal care, labor and birth care, gynecological care, and providing
educational session to patients (Joel 2017). CNM educational background is very extensive,
typically a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is needed, an RN license, and a Graduate level
education. Depending on the graduate school, prerequisites vary, they obtain certification
through testing offered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). CMN works in
many settings, including hospitals, physician-owned practices, community health centers,
Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing
Student Name
Chamberlain University
Fundamental Concepts and Applications
Dr. Kathryn Kay
September 15, 2019
, ROLES IN ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSING 2
Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing
Advance practice nurses provide and coordinate patient care. De Miranda, Manoel,
Rewa, Leonello & Camous Oliveira (2018), concluded in their research that an “APN is a
registered nurse who has acquired the expert knowledge base, complex decision-making skills
and clinical competencies for expanded practice” (p.717). The roles of advanced practice nurses
(APN) consist of 4 four categories, they include Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Clinical Nurse
Specialist (CNS), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), and Certified Nurse
Practitioners. Each role performs multiple functions in the clinical setting, which include
performing a physical examination, diagnosing patients, ordering pertinent labs and diagnostic
test and evaluating patient outcomes. As a Registered Nurse (RN) transitioning to the role of an
APN, there will be more autonomy, leadership skills displayed and in cooperate evidence-based
research into practice. The main purposes of this paper are to explore the roles and educational
background of APN and to discuss the transition of the RN role to the APN role.
Four APN Roles
The roles of the APN are diverse the first role will explore is the Certified Nurse Midwife
(CNM). According to Joel (2017), “CNM are registered nurses who are primary healthcare
providers to women throughout the lifespan” (p. 28). The service they offer includes, prescribing
medication, providing prenatal care, labor and birth care, gynecological care, and providing
educational session to patients (Joel 2017). CNM educational background is very extensive,
typically a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is needed, an RN license, and a Graduate level
education. Depending on the graduate school, prerequisites vary, they obtain certification
through testing offered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). CMN works in
many settings, including hospitals, physician-owned practices, community health centers,
