What defines an APN hospitalist?

An APN hospitalist is best defined as a nationally certified nurse practitioner who practices exclusively within hospital settings. This role emphasizes the focus on inpatient care, allowing the APN hospitalist to be greatly involved in managing the care of hospitalized patients, performing assessments, making clinical decisions, and collaborating with other healthcare providers to optimize patient outcomes.

The distinctiveness of the APN hospitalist role lies in its hospital-centric focus, as opposed to other nursing roles that may extend beyond the hospital environment to various outpatient or community settings. This specialization enhances the ability of the nurse practitioner to address the unique challenges and demands of hospital medicine, leading to improved quality of care for patients in acute settings.