APRN

Medical abbreviation · Healthcare Credential

APRN
Stands forAdvanced practice registered nurse
CategoriesMedical

APRN stands for Advanced practice registered nurse, a healthcare credential abbreviation.

Registered nurse with graduate education and national certification in one of four roles: nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife or certified registered nurse anesthetist. APRNs hold an additional state license or recognition.

Example: Signature: Sam Patel, MSN, APRN, FNP-C.

Usage notes

The 2008 APRN Consensus Model set out the four roles and six population foci to standardize regulation across states. Full practice authority, prescribing rules and titles still vary by state. APRN is now the preferred umbrella term over the older APN.

More healthcare credential abbreviations

  • ADN – Associate Degree in Nursing
  • AEMT – Advanced emergency medical technician
  • AGACNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • AGPCNP – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • APN – Advanced practice nurse
  • ARNP – Advanced registered nurse practitioner
  • ATC – Certified athletic trainer
  • AuD – Doctor of Audiology
  • BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • CCC-SLP – Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology
  • CCMA – Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
  • CCP-C – Certified Critical Care Paramedic

See all 122 healthcare credential abbreviations →

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.