By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Working as an Advanced Practice Nurse
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Nursing > Working as an Advanced Practice Nurse
Nursing

Working as an Advanced Practice Nurse

Sean Mallon
Sean Mallon
Share
4 Min Read
Practice Nurse
Shutterstock Licensed Photo
SHARE

Working as a nurse can be a rewarding career. After spending some time in the field, it is not unusual to want to expand your skills and responsibilities, as well as have more freedom. If this sounds like something you would like, consider working as an advanced practice nurse. Advanced practice providers offer much of the same healthcare as a registered nurse, but they also can make decisions regarding a patient, make suggestions regarding treatment plans, and generally have more responsibility when it comes to their work.

Contents
  • Education
  • Paying for Your Degree
  • Specialties

Education

You will need a master’s degree to work as an advanced practice nurse. While you can work as an RN with an associate’s degree, it is common to earn your BSN. You will need a four-year degree for acceptance to a master’s program, so if you are working as an RN with your associate’s degree, that will be the first step. Many schools offer a bridge program from RN to BSN, often online, that allows you to continue to work as you earn your degree. Once you have your bachelor’s, you can apply for your master’s. Acceptance into these programs are competitive. In addition to having a bachelor’s degree, you will need to have a current RN license and strong GRE scores. Depending on the program and how long ago you graduated, you may need to take some additional coursework before you are officially enrolled in the program.

Paying for Your Degree

There are a variety of ways you can pay for your master’s. Many healthcare employers offer some level of tuition reimbursement. While this is unlikely to cover the full amount of your graduate-level program, it can make the costs more reasonable. It is common to take out private student loans to pay for graduate degrees. Private loans allow you to borrow the amount you need, with no borrowing cap. Federal student loans generally have a higher interest rate for graduate school than they do for undergraduate degrees, so a private student loan may also save you money.

Specialties

There are many different career paths when working as an advanced practice nurse. You can earn your CNM, and work as a Certified Nurse Midwife. In addition to helping with pregnancy and delivery, a CNM can offer other services often provided by a gynecologist, such as family planning. While many people associate a midwife with home or birthing center births, many work in the hospital setting. You can also specialize as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. A CRNA may work in a hospital or day surgery setting. You may work in situations where individuals are having routine procedures performed, or in situations where the patient is critically ill.

More Read

long nursing shift
8 Tips To Decontaminate After A Long Nursing Shift
Nursing Professional’s Guide to Buying Shoes to Prevent Gate Ailments
What Are the Qualities of a Good Nurse?
Your Study Path in Nursing: Hardships in Education and How to Overcome Them
10 Ways To Encourage Our Nursing Students

If you are interested in working in a specific field, you may consider becoming a Certified Nurse Practitioner. A CNP can specialize in everything from family medicine, to pediatrics, to oncology to pain management. While each state has different guidelines on how much responsibility a CNP may take on, most work under the supervision of a doctor. The level of oversight depends on state regulations, the experience of the CNP, and the condition of the patient.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

How Setting Boundaries Helps Trauma Survivors Heal
Health
October 30, 2025
how to improve REM sleep
Unlock Better Sleep: How to Improve REM Sleep Naturally
Wellness
October 30, 2025
uv protection in winter
Winter Sun Safety: Why UV Protection Matters Year-Round
Health
October 29, 2025
Nurse Scheduling Software
Evaluating 7 Best Nurse Scheduling Software
Nursing Technology
October 28, 2025

You Might also Like

Understaffing in Nursing Homes
Nursing

The Hidden Dangers of Understaffing in Nursing Homes: Legal Implications

November 25, 2024
Nursing Aides
Nursing

The Growing Need for Nursing Aides in Elder Care: Challenges and Opportunities

May 4, 2023
travel nurse in north carolina
Nursing

Transforming Healthcare Staffing: The Unique Benefits of Travel Nursing

November 18, 2024
nurse specialty career
Nursing

The Benefits of Specializing in a Nursing Field

July 29, 2024
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?