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APRN stands for "Advanced Practice Registered Nurse." It refers to a category of nursing professionals who have completed advanced education and training beyond the requirements for basic registered nursing (RN) licensure. APRNs are authorized to provide a wide range of healthcare services, including diagnosis, treatment, and management of acute and chronic conditions, as well as preventive care, health education, and counseling. There are four main roles within the APRN category: nurse practitioners (NPs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs). Each role has its own scope of practice and specialization, with NPs focusing on primary and specialty care across the lifespan, CNMs providing comprehensive care for women and newborns during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, CRNAs administering anesthesia and managing pain during surgical procedures, and CNSs offering expert clinical knowledge and leadership in specialized areas of nursing practice. APRNs are licensed and regulated at the state level and may practice autonomously or collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, private practices, community health centers, and schools. With advanced training and clinical expertise, APRNs play a critical role in expanding access to high-quality healthcare services, improving patient outcomes, and addressing healthcare disparities across diverse populations and healthcare settings.