As the complexity of the current U.S. healthcare system has increased, national nursing education organizations have recommended that the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) become the terminal academic degree for all nurse practitioners. It is considered a path to achieving parity and aligning the workforce with other health professions as seen in pharmacy (PharmD), psychology (PsyD), and physical therapy (DPT).

The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) are:

1. Scientific Underpinnings for Practice
2. Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking
3. Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice
4. Information Systems/Technology and Patient Care Technology for the Improvement and Transformation of Health Care
5. Health Care Policy for Advocacy in Health Care
6. Inter-professional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes
7. Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving the Nation’s Health
8. Advanced Nursing Practice

Source: pncb.org

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) are a vital part of the U.S. healthcare system. They are registered nurses educated at Masters or post Masters level and in a specific role and patient population.

APRNs are prepared by education and certification to assess, diagnose, and manage patient problems, order tests, and prescribe medications. 

Source: ncsbn.org

The role of the primary care pediatric nurse practitioner is to provide care to children from birth through young adulthood with in-depth knowledge and experience in pediatric primary healthcare including well-child care and prevention/management of common pediatric acute illnesses and chronic conditions. This care is provided to support the optimal health of children within the context of their family, community, and environmental setting.

CPNP-PCs assess, screen, evaluate, and diagnose children from birth through young adult to provide the full spectrum of primary care health services. They prescribe a comprehensive therapeutic treatment plan including pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies, patient and family education, as well as referral to collaborative members of the health care team when indicated.

Source: pcnb.org

The Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist (PMHS) credential addresses the need to strengthen care to children and families experiencing developmental, behavioral, and mental health care (DBMH) concerns.

Therapeutic services include early recognition, intervention, active monitoring, and appropriate referral for complex individual and family mental health disorders. Healthcare services are evidence-based and include DBMH screening tools, brief psychotherapeutic interventions, and psychopharmacology.

Source: pcnb.org

The CMA credential designates a medical assistant who has achieved certification through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). They are educated and tested in a wide scope of general, clinical, and administrative responsibilities.

Source: aama-ntl.org

A Texas professional limited liability company (PLLC) is formed specifically by people who will provide Texas licensed professional services. Limited liability companies (LLCs), in general, are businesses registered with the state that consist of one or more people—called members—who own the business and are protected individually from many types of liability claims.

All members of a Texas PLLC must be licensed to provide the professional services offered by the PLLC. The default rule is that a PLLC will provide only one kind of professional service. However, Texas law allows PLLCs to provide certain specified combinations of professional services. This includes an array of healthcare professions.

Source: nolo.com