Advanced Practice Nurses

Advanced practice nurses (APNs) are vital parts of the multidisciplinary teams caring for our patients in the UC Davis Health System. APNs are registered nurses who have gained advanced preparation for expanded clinical roles by earning a master’s degree in nursing and receiving specific training and skills. With their increased skills and knowledge base, the APNs within UC Davis Health System are able to fulfill the UC Davis Nursing Mission and provide science-based, technologically precise, compassionate patient care.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists

Nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are registered nurses with specialized graduate-level education in anesthesiology who provide anesthesia services ordered by a physician, dentist, or podiatrist, and are certified by the BRN in this specialty. CRNAs administer anesthesia and sedation, coordinate care of patients during pre/post/peri-anesthesia, address pain management needs and work collaboratively with the anesthesiologist. CRNAs anesthesia practice consists of all accepted anesthesia techniques including general, epidural, spinal, peripheral nerve block, sedation or local.

Clinical Nurse Specialists

Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) are registered nurses with specialized graduate-level education who provide expert clinical practice, research, education, consultation and clinical leadership with an identified patient population. The scope of the CNSs practice includes patients, nursing personnel and organizational systems. CNSs work in direct patient care and indirect care activities that affect a broad range of patients.

Nurse Practitioners

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses with specialized graduate-level education who possess skills in physical diagnosis, psychosocial assessment, and management of health and illness needs in health care. In addition, NPs can perform comprehensive physical examinations, order and interpret diagnostic tests, request specialty consultations, perform and prescribe therapeutic measures and furnish medications. Nurse practitioners are individually accountable for their practice and collaborate closely with physicians.

Physician Assistant

A physician assistant, or PA, is a licensed and highly skilled health care professional, trained to provide patient evaluation, education, and health care services. A PA works with a physician to provide medical care and guidance needed by a patient.