Future-Proofing Healthcare: The Role of Advanced Practice Providers

Do you work in healthcare or are considering it? Perhaps you’re a nurse, physiologist, or orderly. Whatever the case, it’s a noble calling to help society’s sick, vulnerable, and frail. We cherish our healthcare workers in the USA and often call them heroes.

However, suppose you’re a medical professional looking to maintain your professional currency and want to upskill to future-proof your career continuously. In that case, you might want to consider taking on an advanced practice role.

This informative article will explore just this, as well as explain what advanced practice is. By the end of this article, you’ll have a firm understanding of advanced practice and why it might be the right choice for you and your career. Read on to learn more.

What is an Advanced Practice Provider?

An advanced practice provider is typically a healthcare role that has undergone specific and further education to practice at an advanced level. You might commence your career as a nurse or medical assistant and progress from there.

What does an Advanced Practice Provider Do?

APPs provide comprehensive care for patients facing a diverse range of medical conditions, from minor infections and injuries through to post-surgical recovery and palliative care. Their responsibilities may include:

• Developing treatment plans for patients
• Interpreting diagnostic test results
• Conducting research in the medical field
• Diagnosing conditions in patients
• Prescribing medications to patients
• Coordinating patient care with other specialists
• Publishing studies

Overall, Advanced Practice Providers play a critical role in improving patients’ access to care, managing conditions, and enhancing patient outcomes within a range of healthcare settings.

Different Types of Advanced Practice Providers

Advanced Practice Providers tend to undergo extensive training to prepare for their professional roles. They hold advanced degrees, typically at the master’s or doctoral degree level, and various certifications through accredited certifying boards.

Within the healthcare system, there are three primary types of advanced practice provider roles:

• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs): These nurses specialize in anesthesia and sedation for surgery. CRNAs will typically work in operating rooms alongside surgeons and theater nurses. CRNAs will hold master’s or doctoral degrees in nurse anesthesia from an accredited program that qualifies them to work in this role.

• Nurse Practitioners (NPs): These highly qualified medical professionals serve as primary and specialty care providers, and are able to diagnose and treat various illnesses. NPs tend to hold advanced degrees, typically a master’s or doctorate in nursing, and have specialized education and clinical training far beyond that of an enrolled or registered nurse.

• Physician Assistants (PAs): PAs are medical professionals trained similarly to doctors, who assist physicians, and their qualifications allow them to diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications in various specialty areas.

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How Do These Roles Differ from Doctors?

While Advanced Practice Providers and doctors share many responsibilities, their training paths differ significantly. These roles typically complete 2-4 years of post-bachelor’s education and certification, while doctors undergo an additional four years of medical school plus residency training to become qualified.

Like physicians, Advanced Practice Providers must be board-certified by their state in their specialty and complete continuing education to maintain their licensure.

Why Should I Become One?

There are a few reasons why you might consider becoming an Advanced Practice Provider. Obviously, financial success is one major reason why you might consider this career pathway. An Advanced Practice Provider can earn anywhere from $86,932 to $179,021, depending on their role. For instance, CRNAs can easily earn six figures once qualified and working in a healthcare setting. In addition to this, you’re future-proofing your career by ensuring that you’re qualified to a level of skill and experience that will always be in demand from healthcare employers.

Beyond mere financial reasons, though, these roles are challenging, providing excellent fulfilment and job satisfaction. If you want to treat sick people, but are slightly daunted by the sheer number of years it takes to become a physician, then this role might be the one for you. You’ll be able to diagnose, treat, and prescribe for patients, and make a crucial difference in the lives of sick, vulnerable, and ill people. Working in this role will see you presented with new challenges every day, and it is an incredibly rewarding career pathway.

This role offers a unique opportunity to combine clinical medical expertise with a high level of autonomy in your role and excellent patient care. Becoming an Advanced Practice Provider allows you to build meaningful relationships with patients while simultaneously playing a critical role in medical diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of acute and chronic health conditions.

Furthermore, the role is also intellectually rewarding, as it involves a blend of continuous learning and adapting to new and emerging medical knowledge and technologies. It also offers the chance to make a profound impact on the healthcare system by improving patient access to care, reducing healthcare provider shortages, and enhancing patient outcomes.

Ready for The Next Steps in Your Career?

Taking the next step in your career can feel intimidating. Why not look into dnp programs online to start dipping your toes into the idea of further education? This way, you’ll get a taste of what the medical field is like, and then when you’re ready, you can undergo the further qualifications and certification required to become an Advanced Practice Provider.

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A Practice Summary

This helpful article discusses future-proofing healthcare and the role of Advanced Practice Providers. We’ve explained the role, the study pathways to it, and the key advantages of working in this field.