Role of Advanced Practice Nurse in Management of Multiple Sclerosis

The introduction of disease-modifying therapies and the realization that multiple sclerosis (MS) is a treatable disease has seen the emergence of an expanded role for advanced practice nurses (APNs) in the MS arena. Within MS centers, clinics, inpatient settings, and private practices, APNs may function as one or more of the following: administrator, consultant, researcher, advocate, and clinician. Because of the significant roles APNs play in the management of patients with MS, they must embody a core set of competencies delineated by domains specific to MS care. As MS care continues to evolve, APNs remain at the forefront of the multidisciplinary team of health professionals dedicated to optimizing outcomes through research, education, and the identification and implementation of best practices.