What is an Advanced Practice Provider (APP)?

Advanced practice providers (APPs) are a group of healthcare professionals who have obtained advanced education in caring for patients.

Our approach to care

APPs are trained to provide patient-centered care, focusing on disease prevention, health promotion, and patient education. They often have longer appointment times, allowing for thorough assessments and discussions with patients. Their advanced training and expertise enable them to diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions, making them an essential part of the healthcare team at Centra.

APPs work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices, and play a crucial role in delivering comprehensive and specialized care to patients.

What is the relationship between Physicians and APPs?

All Centra APPs partner with our physicians for both primary and specialty care. Each APP works in collaboration with a Physician as part of your care team. These dedicated, highly trained, and skilled professionals substantially impact your care in a way that is comprehensive, convenient, safe, and cost-effective.

Take patient histories
Prescribe medicine
Conduct physical exams
Order lab work, x-rays, and other tests
Women’s health exams
Help patients manage chronic health conditions

Types of Advanced Practice Providers

There are several types of advanced practice providers, including nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), and certified nurse midwives (CNMs). Each type of APP has specific areas of expertise and practice guidelines, but they all share a common goal of providing high-quality healthcare services.

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

NPs are registered nurses (RNs) with advanced education and training, often at the master's or doctoral level. They are authorized to provide comprehensive healthcare services, including diagnosing and treating medical conditions, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, and managing overall patient care. NPs often specialize in areas such as family medicine, pediatrics, geriatrics, women's health, or mental health.

Physician Assistant/Associate

PAs are healthcare professionals who work in collaboration with physicians. They perform various tasks, including conducting physical examinations, diagnosing illnesses, developing treatment plans, prescribing medications, and assisting in surgeries. PAs contribute to patient care across multiple specialties.

Clinical Nurse Specialists

Clinical nurse specialists are advanced practice registered nurses who have graduate preparation (Master's or Doctorate) in nursing. Like other advanced practice registered nurses, they are trained in advanced physiology, pharmacology and physical assessment in addition to their particular areas of speciality.

Clinical nurse specialists provide diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of patients. They also provide expertise and support to nurses caring for patients at the bedside, help drive practice changes throughout the organization, and ensure the use of best practices and evidence-based care to achieve the best possible patient outcomes.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

CRNAs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who specialize in administering anesthesia. They provide anesthesia services for various surgical procedures, monitor patients during anesthesia, and manage their post-operative pain. CRNAs work closely with the surgical team to ensure patient safety and comfort throughout the perioperative period.

Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) or Certified Midwife (CM)

CNMs specialize in women's health, particularly pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. They provide comprehensive prenatal care, attend labor and delivery, offer guidance on family planning, provide gynecological exams, and offer general women's health services.