Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners, also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), coordinate patient care and may provide primary and specialty healthcare. The scope of practice varies from state to state.

Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners work in a wide variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, physicians' offices, schools, and clinics. Most APRNs work full time.

Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners must earn at least a master's degree in one of the APRN roles. They must also be licensed in their state and pass a national certification exam.

The median annual wage for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners was $104,740 in May 2015.

Employment of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is projected to grow 31 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth will occur primarily because of the effects of healthcare legislation, an increased emphasis on preventive care, and demand for healthcare services from the large, aging baby-boom population as they live longer and more active lives than previous generations.

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners.

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners with similar occupations.

Learn more about nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.