| FACTS ABOUT ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES IN NORTH CAROLINA |
| “Advanced Practice Registered Nurse”(APRN) is an umbrella title for RNs who are Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Certified Nurse Midwives, Clinical Nurse Specialists or Nurse Practitioners. Completion of an advanced formal education program is required for recognition to practice in any of these categories. The specific scopes of practice and requirements for recognition to practice in North Carolina for each APRN category are defined in Administrative Rules, which may be obtained from the North Carolina Board of Nursing. |
|
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Education: Completion of Post-graduate certificate NP program, with Master’s Degree in Nursing NP program, or Postmaster’s NP program. As of January 1, 2005 all new NP graduates must have a Masters Degree. National certification required after January 1, 2000. Continuing education is mandatory for recertification and for continuing regulatory recognition to practice in the State.
What they do: Manage a broad range of health problems, emphasizing primary care and health promotion. NPs provide preventive services, counsel individuals and families, conduct physical examinations and diagnostic evaluation of illness and injury, prescribe therapeutics including medications, and monitor health status over time. While historically the NP role began in rural primary care, NPs now practice in many settings such as specialty practices, hospitals, managed care, long-term care and public health.
Employment options: Salaried or self-employed. NP services reimbursable by insurance.
Who regulates: Joint Subcommittee of the Medical Board and the Board of Nursing.