What are Advanced Practice Nurses ?
Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with advanced academic and clinical experience, which enables him or her to diagnose and manage most common and many chronic illnesses, either independently or as part of a health care team. A nurse practitioner provides some care previously offered only by physicians and in most states has the ability to prescribe medications. Working in collaboration with a physician, a nurse practitioner provides high-quality, cost-effective and individualized care for the lifespan of patient's special needs.
The advanced practice nurse is prepared to practice in an expanded role to provide health care to individuals, families, and/or groups in a variety of settings including but not limited to homes, hospitals, institutions, offices, industry, schools, community agencies, public and private clinics, and private practice.
They perform physical exams and treat patients who have acute and chronic illnesses. NPs teach patients about their conditions and how to help themselves stay healthier.
Nurse practitioners provide health care within their scope of practice and collaborate with or refer patients to physicians when needed. Approximately one-half of NPs deliver services to underserved Texans who frequently have no other source of health care.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs)
More than 2,400 CRNAs are qualified to deliver anesthesia in Texas.
CRNAs administer 60-65% of the anesthetics in the state and are the sole anesthesia providers in 78 rural Texas counties. Their services are essential to maintain obstetrical, surgical and emergency care for rural Texans.
CRNAs have provided quality, cost-effective anesthesia services for well over 100 years. CRNAs in Texas are recognized as licensed independent practitioners. With an order for anesthesis by a physician, dentist, or podiatrist, CRNAs are authorized to provide anesthesia services without direction or supervision, within the scope of their licensure and in accordance with clinical privileges.
Certified Nurse Midwifes (CNMs)
Currently about 350 CNMs are in active practice in Texas. Their practice is defined as the independent management of women's health care. It focuses on pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum care, newborn care, and the family planning and gynecological needs of women. CNM practices are structured to allow for consultation, collaboration, and referral to other health care providers for care outside the nurse-midwives' expertise.
In 1999, CNMs in Texas attended 13,202 hospital births, 594 births in free-standing birth centers, and 129 home births. They continue to demonstrate a model of prevention, patient education, and family-centered care which has been very successful in lowering health care costs and improving outcomes.
Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs)
There are about 1500 CNSs in Texas. They earn master or doctoral degrees to become expert clinicians in specialty areas such as geriatric, critical care, oncology, or psychiatric-mental health care. CNSs develop improved methods of nursing care delivery to individuals and populations, teach nurses and other health care professionals, and act as clinical consultants. Some CNSs also assess and manage individuals’ health problems and prescribe medications. Therefore, in some settings, CNS and NP roles are similar. Research on CNS practice demonstrates positive outcomes including reduced hospital costs, reduced frequency of emergency room visits, and reduced medical complications in critical care patients.
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