What are the four recognized APRN roles?

The four recognized Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) roles are Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Anesthetist, and Nurse Midwife. This classification is established by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and the APRN consensus model, which provides a framework for APRN education, practice, and regulation.

Nurse Practitioners focus on providing primary and specialty care, often diagnosing and treating medical conditions, prescribing medications, and managing patient care. Clinical Nurse Specialists serve as experts in specific clinical areas, providing direct patient care as well as leading innovations in practice and education. Nurse Anesthetists are specialized nurses who administer anesthesia and manage patient care during surgical procedures. Nurse Midwives attend to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, and provide gynecological care, thereby playing a crucial role in maternal and newborn health.

The other options include roles such as Nurse Educator and Nurse Researcher, which, while important in nursing, do not fall under the APRN designation as defined by regulatory bodies. The focus of the APRN roles is on direct clinical practice rather than education or research, which distinguishes them in terms of scope and standards for practice.