As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, APNPs may:

  • Conduct patient histories and physical exams.
  • Diagnose and treat illnesses.
  • Order and interpret tests.
  • Initiate and manage therapies for acute or chronic health problems.
  • Perform minor surgical procedures and assist in surgery.
  • Counsel patients on preventive health care, educate patients and conduct health screenings.
  • Coordinate patient referral and follow-up care with physician specialists.
  • Coordinate hospital care and home care.
  • Insertion and removal of lines and catheters.
  • Write prescriptions for drugs and medical devices.
  • Assist in educating students, nurses, medical students and residents.

APNPs may also practice educational, research and administrative duties.

Specialty Areas for APNPs

We have more than 600 APNPs credentialed to see patients across primary and specialty, ambulatory and acute care settings.

APNP History, Education and Skills

APNPs have provided excellent health care for nearly half a century. The first APNPs were educated at the University of Colorado in 1965. Programs soon spread across the U.S. As of 2010, there are about 140,000 practicing APNPs. Close to 8,000 new APNPs are prepared each year at over 325 colleges and universities.

Entry-level preparation for APNPs is a graduate degree. While most APNP programs currently award master's degrees and/or post-master's certificates, an increasing number of programs award doctoral degrees. In 2004, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing recommended a shift in preparing all APNPs to the doctoral level by 2015 with the degree title of doctor of nursing practice, or DNP (AACN, 2004; AANP, 2010).

APNP education provides theoretical and evidence-based clinical knowledge and learning experiences for role development as an APNP. The emphasis in a graduate APNP program is on the development of clinical and professional expertise necessary for comprehensive primary and specialty care in a variety of settings. The APNP curriculum should be designed to prepare graduates to qualify for national certification in their anticipated area of population focused practice. Additionally, APNP programs cultivate advanced skills in the roles of educator, counselor, advocate, consultant, manager, researcher and mentor.