Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) help manage rheumatic diseases by providing preventative care and treatment. APN is an umbrella term given to a registered nurse who has met advanced educational and clinical practice requirements beyond that for a basic registered nurse license. There are four types of APNs: clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and certified registered nurse anesthetists.

What Does the APN Do?
The APN determines the patient's health status through the health history, physical examinations, and interpretation of diagnostic tests. In collaboration with the patient, family, and other health care professionals (as needed), the APN may develop a treatment plan to meet the individual's needs.

Other job duties include prescribing, ordering, and implementing interventions and treatments identified in the plan of care. The APN can initiate referrals to other health care providers, prescribe medications and non-drug treatments (in accordance with state law), and provide patient/family education and counseling. By acting as a clinical care coordinator and advocate for the patient and family within the health care facility, the community, and the legislative arena, the APN can greatly benefit the patient and his/her family.

Where Does an APN Work?
APNs provide care in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, ambulatory clinics, managed care practice, private practice, rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, public health centers, and long-term care facilities. APNs may serve as primary care providers, specialty care providers, or consultants.

Training
Since 1992, APNs must obtain at least a Master's degree. Regulated by both state and federal laws, APNs are licensed as registered nurses in the states in which they practice. Most states require APNs to be nationally certified in their specialty area by the APN specialty's professional organization. National APN certification requires graduation from an accredited APN educational program and successful completion of a national certification examination.

Source: American College of Rheumatology