There is limited information available regarding the transition from registered nurse (RN) to family nurse practitioner (FNP). Several authors described this transition as taking place in 4 stages, and others described it as a 2-phase process.

This article begins by informing us that the first APRN was in 1877. The article defines an APRN discusses APRNs history, scope of practice, different specialties and their role and educational requirements along with our future needs in Oncology and the importance of our input in the business of healthcare. It ends with the emphasis that our importance must be documented and communicated to healthcare decision makers and we need to collaborate with physicians and administrators and negotiate with business makers to change healthcare reform.