As an academic medical center, the UCLA Health System thrives on the clinical expertise of advanced nursing practice. The Advanced Practice Nurse is an integral member of the multidisciplinary team who helps ensure UCLA delivers leading-edge, comprehensive medical care to patients and families. In addition to careers within the health system, the UCLA School of Nursing provides the opportunity for nurses to achieve this level of academic and clinical expertise.
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | Nurse Practitioner | Nurse Midwife | Nurse Anesthetists |
With advanced educational preparation and a high degree of professional expertise in nursing practice, the CNS has the primary responsibilities of practitioner, educator, manager, consultant and researcher. He or she works in collaboration with multidisciplinary team members in developing criteria for patient care, assessing health needs of patients, and evaluating outcomes of nursing intervention to improve care and assure best practice. The CNS is a leader in developing new educational and evidenced-based practice initiatives and policies to improve nursing knowledge and patient care. Masters Degree prepared in Nursing with CNS specialty required.
The UCLA Health System employs over 150 Nurse Practitioners (NPs) to care for our patients and families. The NPs have additional preparation and skills in physical diagnosis, psycho-social assessment, and management of health-illness needs of patients. NPs practice using "Standardized Procedures" as defined in the California Nursing Practice Act under section 1474, perform health history, review of systems, physical examination, formulate medical diagnosis(s), plan of care, furnish medications and devices, and order therapeutic modalities. Nurse practitioners refer and coordinate patients' care with other health care professionals, perform procedures, provide education and conduct/participate in research. The Nurse Practitioner at UCLA requires a California Registered Nursing License with a Nurse Practitioner Certificate and Master's degree in Nursing, a Master's degree in a clinical field related to Nursing, or a graduate degree in Nursing.
The Nurse-Midwife, under the general supervision of a licensed physician and surgeon, will independently manage women's healthcare, focusing particularly on pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, care of the newborn, and the family planning and gynecological needs of women. The Nurse Midwife will obtain consultation, collaborative management or referral, as indicated by the health status of the client, and provide emergency care as indicated. All medical procedures are performed under standardized procedures, which are approved by credentialing committees. Requires NM license and ACNM Certification.
Under the supervision of an anesthesiologist, the Nurse Anesthetist performs safe anesthesia care, consisting of the following: pre-operative assessment, writing of appropriate pre-op orders as specified by approved standard procedure, administration of all types of anesthetic and techniques, patient monitoring intra-operatively, provision for intra-op course and emergence, and assistance in post-operative care. The NA will perform all duties and tasks under the medical direction of an anesthesiologist. Requires graduation from an accredited School of Nurse Anesthesia and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification by the American Heart Association.
