What Is an APRN? Explainer and FAQ
You’ve likely heard the acronym APRN — especially if you’ve been treated by a nurse who seemed to do everything a doctor does. But just what is an APRN? Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) have extensive clinical training and education, allowing them to diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and often serve as primary care providers. From nurse practitioners (NPs) to clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), this career path offers six-figure earning potential and countless ways to make a real impact.
So what is APRN in the medical field? This article covers what they do, how they’re trained, how much they earn, and how you can become one.
What Is an APRN Nurse?
An APRN stands for advanced practice registered nurse. These professionals are licensed registered nurses (RNs) who have completed graduate-level education and extensive clinical training, allowing them to perform many duties beyond the typical nursing role — including diagnosing illnesses and prescribing treatments.
What is an APRN in healthcare typically doing at work on a daily basis? These advanced clinicians manage a variety of responsibilities, including the following:
| Responsibility | Description |
|---|---|
| Diagnosing illnesses | APRNs assess patients, gather health histories, perform physical exams, and analyze clinical findings to reach accurate diagnoses. |
| Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests | APRNs have the authority to order lab tests, imaging studies (like X-rays or MRIs), and other diagnostics to identify abnormalities, monitor disease progression, or evaluate the effectiveness of treatments. |
| Developing treatment plans | APRNs create personalized treatment plans, often including medications, lifestyle modifications, referrals to specialists, and follow-up care. |
| Prescribing medications and therapies | In most states, APRNs can prescribe a full range of medications, including controlled substances, and may also recommend therapies like physical therapy, nutritional support, or mental health counseling. |
| Providing patient education and counseling | APRNs help patients understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and follow-up care by offering clear, personalized information designed to help individuals make informed decisions about their health. |
What Are APRN Specialty Roles?
APRNs aren’t limited to a single career track. These highly trained professionals can pursue one of four core specialties, each with its own focus and clinical environment.
| Career Path | Role Description |
|---|---|
| Nurse practitioner (NP) | NPs provide primary and specialty care, diagnosing and managing acute and chronic conditions. They often serve as primary care providers, delivering routine checkups, ordering tests, and prescribing medications. Specialties include family practice, pediatrics, and mental health. |
| Clinical nurse specialist (CNS) | CNSs provide expert consultation in specialized areas such as cardiology, oncology, or pediatrics. They develop evidence-based protocols, lead quality improvement initiatives, and provide direct patient care for complex cases within hospitals or clinics. |
| Certified nurse midwife (CNM) | CNMs deliver prenatal, labor, and postpartum care, as well as gynecological and family-planning services. They provide support during childbirth, monitor maternal and fetal health, and provide newborn care in hospitals, birthing centers, and home settings. |
| Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) | CRNAs administer anesthesia and manage pain during surgeries and procedures. They work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure patient safety before, during, and after anesthesia. |
How to Become an APRN
To become a leader in advanced nursing practice, you’ll need to invest in a lengthy education. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started.
Step 1: Earn a Nursing Degree
What is an APRN at the very start of their career? Every APRN starts out as an RN. Begin by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited institution, which typically takes about four years to complete. During your studies, you’ll take classes such as pharmacology, health assessment, and pathophysiology, while also completing clinical rotations at various healthcare institutions.
Tip: Already an RN with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)? Look into bridge programs such as RN-to-BSN or RN-to-NP to fast-track your path toward advanced practice.
Step 2: Obtain a Nursing Licensure
Your BSN is just the beginning — next comes licensure. All aspiring RNs must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), a standardized exam that evaluates your readiness to practice nursing safely and effectively. Once you’ve passed, the final step is submitting your licensure application to your state board of nursing.
Tip: The exam can be challenging, so many newly graduated nurses choose to take NCLEX preparation courses or complete practice tests to sharpen their skills.
Step 3: Gain Nursing Experience
Before choosing an APRN specialty, it’s helpful to get hands-on RN experience. After all, how can you know what you enjoy without trying it? Gaining a year or more of clinical experience not only makes you a stronger graduate school candidate — it also helps discover which nursing specialties interest you most. Here are a few examples:
- Aesthetic nursing
- Dermatology nursing
- Endoscopy nursing
- Interventional radiology nursing
- Medical-surgical nursing
- Plastic surgery nursing
- Psychiatric nursing
- Substance abuse nursing
Step 4: Earn Your Master’s or Doctoral Degree in Nursing
What is an APRN supposed to study? You’ll need to complete an advanced nursing degree — either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in your chosen specialty. These programs include classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training, building on your nursing experience to prepare you for advanced patient care, leadership, and decision-making responsibilities.
Not sure which path is right for you? Here’s a quick comparison of the difference between MSN vs. DNP programs:
| Degree Feature | MSN | DNP |
|---|---|---|
| Length of time | 2–3 years | 2–4 years |
| Clinical hours | A minimum of 500 hours | A minimum of 1,000 hours |
| Focus | Prepares nurses for advanced clinical roles focused on direct patient care | Designed for leadership in clinical settings; includes advanced coursework in healthcare policy, quality improvement, and clinical systems management |
Tip: Choose a program with accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). It’s not just a stamp of quality — it’s also often required for certification and employment.
Step 5: Earn Certification
After graduating with your advanced nursing degree, the next step is to earn national certification in your APRN specialty by taking an exam. These exams are offered by nationally recognized certifying bodies, including:
| Certifying Body | Examples of Specialty Exams |
|---|---|
| American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) | |
| American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) |
|
| American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) |
|
| National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) |
|
| National Certification Corporation (NCC) | |
| Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) |
Step 6: Apply for Licensure
Once you’ve earned national certification, the next step is applying for state licensure as an APRN. Licensure is granted by your state’s board of nursing and legally allows you to practice in an advanced role.
Each state has its own requirements, but generally, you’ll need to:
- Submit proof of your graduate degree.
- Provide verification of your education and RN licensure.
- Complete a background check and fingerprinting.
- Pay a state licensure application fee.
In some states, you may also need to apply for additional credentials, such as prescriptive authority or controlled substance registration, depending on your role and intended practice.
What Is an APRN Salary?
The average APRN salary can vary significantly depending on your specific role, geographic location, years of experience, education level, and work setting. Here are some examples:
- Average salary for a CNM is $128,110 per year
- Average salary for a CNS is $105,000 per year
- Average salary for a CRNA is $231,700 per year
- Average salary for an NP is $132,000 per year
Salary data is always changing, so to get a better idea of what you might earn, check out some of the latest jobs for these roles:
What Is an APRN? FAQ
What is an APRN CNP?
APRN-CNP stands for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse-Certified Nurse Practitioner. It refers to a specific type of APRN who is nationally certified to practice as a nurse practitioner, and, therefore, can diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, and manage patient care.
Is an APRN considered a doctor?
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the title “doctor” is used across many disciplines and isn’t exclusive to one profession. Individuals who hold a doctoral degree, including APRNs, may use the title. However, it’s important to note that APRNs are not medical doctors (MDs).
APRN vs. NP: What’s the difference?
An APRN is a broad category that includes several advanced nursing roles, while a NP is one specific type of APRN. All NPs are APRNs, but not all APRNs are NPs — other roles include CNS, CNM, and CRNA.
APRN vs. PA: What’s the difference?
An APRN and a physician assistant (PA) are both advanced practice healthcare providers that can diagnose illnesses and prescribe medications, but they follow different educational paths and practice models. APRNs are nurses that complete graduate-level training and follow a nursing-based, patient-centered care model. PAs complete medical-style programs that emphasize a disease-centered approach, much like physicians. Want to dive deeper? Check out our article on the differences between NPs and PAs.
APRN vs. RN: What’s the difference?
Unlike RNs who provide direct patient care and follow care plans, APRNs can diagnose conditions, develop treatment plans, prescribe medications, and often serve as primary care providers. Simply put, all APRNs are RNs, but not all RNs are APRNs. This higher level of nursing education and responsibility distinguishes APRNs from RNs.
Can APRN prescribe medication?
Yes, APRNs can prescribe medication, and in many states, they have what’s called full practice authority. This means they can evaluate patients, diagnose conditions, and prescribe medications independently, without needing supervision or collaboration with a physician. However, the level of prescribing authority varies by state, so some APRNs may still require oversight, depending on local laws.
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