Advanced practice registered nurses are registered nurses who have additional education and licensure to manage common health problems and chronic conditions including prescribing treatments and medications. They are frequently called a nurse practitioner or APRN, for short.
Most nurse practitioners have a master's or doctoral degree in nursing.
The educational program for nurse practitioners is based on the nursing model of providing care, which is a holistic model focusing on health prevention and maintenance as well as diagnosis and treatment of illness. Nurse practitioners must pass a national certification examination. In Nebraska, nurse practitioners are required to have both a current RN license and an APRN License. Assessing and evaluating common symptoms of acute illnesses such as colds, infections and asthma. Orders, conducting and interpreting appropriate diagnostic and laboratory tests.