What is an APRN?

An APRN is a specialized type of registered nurse (RN) with the education and clinical training to provide more advanced care than a general RN, such as prescribing medication. There are four basic types of APRN, including a nurse practitioner (NP), certified nurse midwife (CNM), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), and certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). A nurse practitioner provides advanced care for patient populations, such as psychiatric or family health, while a certified nurse midwife offers specialized reproductive care for women. A clinical nurse specialist has clinical expertise in particular areas of care, such as geriatrics, while a certified registered nurse anesthetist specializes in administering anesthesia to patients during surgery.