ANPs are nurses who have undertaken a master’s level in clinical practice or have completed credentialing through the RCN. ANPs have authority in patient diagnosis and are trusted to independently assess, diagnose, manage and care for patients with complex clinical issues.
These types of Nurses can work within emergency, primary and acute settings, and have a higher level of education and experience than most other nurses. In our guide, we will be discussing a career as an ANP, salary expectations and specialisms.
What can an ANP do?
The role of a ANP differs greatly in comparison to a general nurse, meaning you’ll be expected to perform more duties, as you are in a more senior position. Responsibilities of an Advanced Nurse Practitioner can include:
- Diagnosing health conditions
- Conducting check-ups
- Researching patient conditions
- Referring patients to specialists
- Maintaining records of patient medical history
- Prescribing and administering medication
How to become an Advanced Nurse Practitioner
The route to becoming an Advanced Nurse Practitioner is longer than other types of nursing, as it requires extensive education and training. The first step in becoming an ANP is to become a nurse and completing your bachelor’s degree – here, you will learn the foundations of nursing including biology, anatomy, psychology and chemistry.
The next steps are:
- Becoming a registered nurse: all nurses will join the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in order to be able to practice nursing in the UK.
- Getting experience: once you are fully qualified and registered, you will then be able to work as a nurse within various settings. You may choose to pursue a specialism and gain the skills and expertise you need for the next steps.
- Embarking on a master’s programme: to qualify as a nurse practitioner, you are required to complete a master’s degree. These courses often take 1-2 years to complete and are essential for building up your knowledge.
OR
- Credentialing: the RCN has recognised there are many Prescribing Nurse’s who are working at an Advanced Level in Primary Care and have their Level 7 modules in clinical assessment & diagnostics but have not completed their Master’s. These Nurses can apply for a “Credentialing Certificate” which recognises these Nurses as working at an Advanced Level
For more information on credentialing please see below
Credentialing | Professional Development | Royal College of Nursing