Advanced Nursing Roles
There are many opportunities in nursing for professional development and career expansion. Advanced roles in nursing, which require at least a Master’s degree, offer increased rewards—financial, professional and personal. As healthcare adapts to a higher demand for primary care providers and fiscal management, the demand for nurses in advanced roles rises.
Nurse Educators are RNs with a specialty in teaching. They may develop and teach nursing curriculum in colleges and universities, maintain staff development in clinical settings or work as community educators.
Nurse Administrators coordinate the use of human, financial and technological resources to provide patient care services. Positions include manager, director, chief nurse executive and vice president of nursing.
Nurse Researchers utilize statistical methodologies to discover or establish facts, principles or relationships. Using the scientific process, nurse researchers add to the knowledge base in clinical practice, administration and education.
Clinical Nurse Specialists are experts in a specialized area of nursing practice. The CNS manages complex patient health care problems in various settings such as hospitals or clinics. In addition to providing direct care to patients, clinical nurse specialists offer consultation to members of the healthcare team, serving as an important resource to nursing staffs and other health professionals.
Nurse Practitioners provide direct patient care to individuals, families or groups. The NP manages a wide range of health problems through physical examination, diagnosis, and patient/family education and counseling. Practicing in all types of settings, the NP provides primary care and health promotion.
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners
Nurse-Midwives Certified Nurse-Midwives provide expert well-women gynecological care and prenatal, delivery and postpartum care to low-risk, uncomplicated patients. A CNM may also provide primary care to women including health promotion and family planning counseling.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists administer all types of anesthesia to patients requiring surgery, invasive procedures, management of labor pain, and interventional pain management. The CRNA practices in hospital and ambulatory care settings. Nurse anesthetists administer 65% of all anesthetics delivered to patients. They work in collaboration with physicians, dentists, and other healthcare professionals.
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