APN Infographic Assignment: Complete Guide + Free Sample for Nursing Students

APN Infographic Assignment

Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) infographic assignments ask nursing students to visually communicate “What, Why, When, and How” APNs function; in language the general public can understand. This guide explains exactly what the assignment requires, walks you through every section with substantive content, includes a completed sample you can reference, and shows you how to build your own using free tools like Piktochart or Visme — no paid subscription needed.

The Assignment

Infographics are visual representations of information. They can include numbers, text, images, or any combination of the three. Just as in traditional writing assignments, infographics can take on any of the various rhetorical modes — informative, instructive, descriptive, persuasive, etc. Infographics provide a quick way to convey a lot of information. For example, this infographic from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners conveys data related to NPs  much more concisely than another paragraph inserted here could have (https://www.aanp.org/all-about-nps/what-is-an-np-2):

Students will create an Infographic on the topic of Advanced Practice Nursing. You will create an infographic that is easily understood by the lay public or general population. The infographic should provide information useful to communicating the “What, Why, When and How” of APN.

1. Student will select a platform (tool) for building their infographics. There are plenty of great infographic platforms out there. Most are free, but may require that you do set up an account. Check out am, Easelly, Piktochart, and Visme.
2. Create the Infographic using one of the above platforms.
3. Post completed infographic in PDF format
4. Students are not required to purchase a membership to any third party sites. If you cannot download a PDF without purchase, please submit a screenshot(s) of your final product for grading.

What Is the APN Infographic Assignment?

The APN infographic assignment is a visual communication project found in many MSN, BSN-to-MSN, and nurse practitioner transition courses. It requires students to create a single-page visual — not a written essay — that explains Advanced Practice Nursing to a non-clinical audience.

The assignment typically specifies four content pillars:

• What APN is (definition and roles)
• Why APN matters (importance and impact)
• When APNs are needed (clinical scenarios and settings)
• How someone becomes an APN (education and certification pathways)

The deliverable is usually a PDF export or screenshot from a free infographic platform.

What Is Advanced Practice Nursing (APN)?

Advanced Practice Nursing refers to a specialized, graduate-level tier of nursing in which registered nurses gain expanded clinical authority to diagnose, treat, and manage patients independently or collaboratively.^[1,2]

According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), there are over 385,000 licensed NPs practicing in the United States as of 2023 — an 8.5% increase from the previous year.^[3] The four recognized APN roles are:

• Nurse Practitioner (NP) — The most prevalent APN role; provides primary and specialty care
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) — Administers anesthesia in surgical and procedural settings
• Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) — Manages prenatal, labor, delivery, and postpartum care
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) — Focuses on quality improvement, staff education, and direct patient care in specialty areas

APNs hold at minimum a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, though many pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).^[1]

Why Does APN Matter? The Case for Advanced Practice Nurses

APNs address one of the most urgent problems in American healthcare: a growing shortage of primary care providers, especially in rural and underserved communities.^[4,5]

Key statistics — with peer-reviewed sources — that belong in your infographic:

• The AANP reports that NPs have full practice authority in 27 states + Washington D.C. and two U.S. territories, reducing barriers to care^[6]
• A systematic review of 37 studies (1990–2009) published in The Journal for Nurse Practitioners found patient outcomes comparable or better for NPs versus MDs across all 11 measured outcomes (Stanik-Hutt et al., 2013)^[7]
• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects NP employment to grow 46% from 2023–2033, creating 135,000+ new positions^[8]
• A cost-decomposition study in Medical Care (Razavi et al., 2021) found NP primary care is 21–34% less costly than equivalent physician-led care across risk strata^[9]
• The AAMC’s 2024 workforce report projects a physician shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, with NPs positioned as a primary mitigation strategy^[4]

For your infographic’s “Why” section, focus on access, quality, and cost as the three pillars.

When Are APNs Called Into Practice?

APNs are utilized across the full continuum of care; from preventive wellness visits to acute illness management and chronic disease oversight.^[1,10]

Common clinical scenarios where APNs practice:

• Primary care — Annual exams, vaccinations, chronic condition management (diabetes, hypertension, asthma)
• Acute and urgent care — Diagnosing and treating illness in urgent care clinics and emergency departments
• Mental health — Prescribing psychiatric medications, providing therapy, managing behavioral health crises
• Women’s health — Prenatal care, gynecological exams, family planning
• Pediatrics and gerontology — Specialty populations from newborns to elderly patients
• Surgical support — CRNAs administer more than 58.5 million anesthetics annually in the U.S., per AANA^[11]

For your infographic, a settings-based visual (clinic, hospital, community center, telehealth) works well for this section.

How Do You Become an Advanced Practice Nurse?

Becoming an APN requires a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), active RN licensure, graduate education (MSN or DNP), national certification, and state licensure.^[1,12]

The pathway breaks down into six clear steps:

1. Earn a BSN — 4-year undergraduate nursing degree (or ADN + RN-to-BSN bridge)
2. Obtain RN licensure — Pass the NCLEX-RN exam
3. Gain clinical experience — Most MSN programs recommend 1–2 years of RN practice
4. Complete graduate education — MSN (2 years) or DNP (3–4 years), including 500–1,000+ clinical hours
5. Pass national certification — Through bodies like ANCC, AANPCB, AANA, or ACNM depending on APN role
6. Apply for state licensure — Requirements vary by state; some require collaborative practice agreements

Total timeline: approximately 6–8 years from high school or 2–3 years for working RNs already holding a BSN.^[6]

How to Complete the APN Infographic Assignment Step by Step

You can build a professional, assignment-ready APN infographic in under two hours using a free platform; no design experience required.

Step 1: Choose Your Platform

All four platforms recommended in the assignment are free at their base tier:

Pro tip: If the platform requires a paid plan for PDF export, the assignment explicitly allows you to submit a screenshot; no purchase required.

Step 2: Plan Your Layout

Use a vertical single-column layout or a 2×2 grid to organize the four sections: Header → WHAT → WHY → WHEN → HOW → Footer/Sources.

Step 3: Write Content for Each Section

Keep all text at a 6th–8th grade reading level — this is a public-facing document. Avoid clinical jargon.

Step 4: Add Visuals

• WHAT → Stethoscope, graduation cap, people icons
• WHY → Bar chart, map icon (access gaps), dollar sign
• WHEN → Hospital, clinic, home, telehealth device
• HOW → Numbered pathway or timeline arrow

Step 5: Export and Submit

• PDF format is preferred per the assignment
• If PDF requires payment, take a full-screen screenshot (Windows: Snipping Tool; Mac: Cmd+Shift+3)
• Name your file: Lastname_APNInfographic.pdf

Common Mistakes Students Make on the APN Infographic Assignment

The most common error is writing for clinicians instead of the general public — avoid acronyms, credentials, and medical jargon your non-nurse neighbor wouldn’t understand.

• Too much text — Each section should be 20–40 words max
• Missing the “How” section — Students often focus on What/Why and forget the pathway steps
• No sources or citations — Add a small footer citing AANP, AANA, or ACNM data
• Poor contrast — White text on light backgrounds fails accessibility
• Wrong format — Submitting a Word document or PowerPoint instead of an infographic visual

Sample APN Infographic Content (Complete Draft)

Below is a complete, ready-to-use content block for your infographic. Copy each section into your chosen platform and add visuals.

INFOGRAPHIC HEADER

Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) | Caring Beyond the Bedside

SECTION 1 — WHAT IS APN?

Advanced Practice Nurses are highly educated RNs who can diagnose illness, order tests, prescribe medications, and manage your care — independently or alongside a physician.

4 APN Roles:

• Nurse Practitioner (NP)
• Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
• Nurse Midwife (CNM)
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

SECTION 2 — WHY APNs MATTER

• 385,000+ NPs practicing in the U.S. (AANP, 2023)
• Full practice authority in 27 states + D.C. (AANP, 2024)
• Equivalent or better patient outcomes vs. physician-led care (Stanik-Hutt et al., 2013)
• NP care 21–34% less costly than physician care (Razavi et al., 2021)
• NP employment growing 46% by 2033 (BLS, 2024)

SECTION 3 — WHEN TO SEE AN APN

• Annual checkups & preventive care
• Diabetes, hypertension, asthma management
• Mental health and medication management
• Pregnancy and women’s health
• Urgent and same-day care
• Post-surgical follow-up

SECTION 4 — HOW TO BECOME AN APN

1. BSN Degree (4 years)
2. RN License (NCLEX-RN)
3. Clinical Experience (1–2 years)
4. MSN or DNP Degree (2–4 years)
5. National Certification (ANCC, AANPCB)
6. State Licensure

Total pathway: 6–8 years

FOOTER / SOURCES

Sources: AANP (2023, 2024); BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (2024); Stanik-Hutt et al. (2013), J Nurse Pract; Razavi et al. (2021), Medical Care; AANA (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions

What should an APN infographic include?

An APN infographic should include four clearly labeled sections: What APN is (definition and roles), Why APN matters (statistics and benefits), When APNs practice (settings and scenarios), and How to become an APN (education and certification steps). The design should be visually clean and written for a general, non-clinical audience.

Do I need to purchase Piktochart or Visme to complete the assignment?

No. The assignment explicitly states that students are not required to purchase a membership to any third-party site. If a platform requires payment to download a PDF, you may submit a screenshot of your completed infographic instead.

What is the difference between an APN and an NP?

APN (Advanced Practice Nurse) is an umbrella term that includes four roles: Nurse Practitioners (NPs), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs), and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs). An NP is one specific type of APN — the most common one — focused on primary and specialty patient care.

What platform is best for a nursing infographic assignment?

Piktochart is widely recommended for nursing students due to its healthcare templates, intuitive drag-and-drop interface, and free base tier. Visme is a strong alternative with more design flexibility.

How long should the APN infographic assignment take?

Most students complete the APN infographic in 1–3 hours once they have their content planned. Allow 30 minutes for content research and writing, 30–60 minutes for platform setup and design, and 15–20 minutes for refinement and export.

Need a Custom APN Infographic Done for You?

If you’re a working nursing student managing clinical rotations, a full-time job, and coursework simultaneously, our expert nursing writers — all holding MSN or DNP credentials — can complete your APN infographic assignment to your exact rubric specifications.

• Turnaround as fast as 3 hours
• Completed by MSN/DNP-credentialed nurses (not general writers)
• Free revision if it doesn’t meet your assignment criteria
• 100% original, plagiarism-free work
• Secure and confidential

Author Bio

Written by Joyanne May, MSN, FNP-BC — a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with 8+ years of clinical experience and a background in nursing education. May has guided hundreds of MSN and DNP students complete nursing informatics and visual communication assignments. Member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and the American Nurses Association (ANA).

References

Organizational & Government Reports

[1] International Council of Nurses (ICN). (2020). Guidelines on advanced practice nursing. International Council of Nurses. https://www.icn.ch/system/files/2021-07/ICN_APN%20Report_EN_WEB.pdf

[2] Tracy, M. F., & O’Grady, E. T. (Eds.). (2019). Hamric and Hanson’s advanced practice nursing: An integrative approach (6th ed.). Elsevier. [Definitive APN textbook; defines scope and four APN roles]

[3] American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). (2023, November 13). Nurse practitioner profession grows to 385,000 strong. AANP Press Release. https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/nurse-practitioner-profession-grows-to-385-000-strong

[4] Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). (2024, March). The complexities of physician supply and demand: Projections from 2021 to 2036. AAMC. https://www.aamc.org/media/75236/download [Projects U.S. physician shortage of up to 86,000 by 2036]

[5] Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA). (2023). Designated health professional shortage areas statistics. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/health-workforce/shortage-areas [Documents 8,352 primary care shortage areas serving 101 million residents]

[6] American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). (2024). NP facts — National Nurse Practitioner Week. AANP. https://npweek.aanp.org/np-facts [Full practice authority in 27 states + D.C.; 87% certified in primary care]

[8] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). (2024). Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners: Occupational outlook handbook. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm [46% projected growth 2023–2033; 135,000+ new positions]

[11] American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). (2024). About CRNAs. AANA. https://www.aana.com/about-us/about-crnas/ [CRNAs administer 58.5+ million anesthetics annually]

[12] American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). (2024). 2024 AANP practice report. AANP. https://www.aanp.org/practice/practice-related-research/research-reports

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

[7] Stanik-Hutt, J., Newhouse, R. P., White, K. M., Johantgen, M., Bass, E. B., Zangaro, G., Wilson, R. F., Fountain, L., Steinwachs, D. M., Heindel, L., & Weiner, J. P. (2013). The quality and effectiveness of care provided by nurse practitioners. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 9(8), 492–500.e13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2013.07.004 Systematic review of 37 studies (1990–2009); patient outcomes comparable or better for NPs vs. MDs across 11 measures.

[9] Razavi, M., Liu, X., & Perloff, J. (2021). Drivers of cost differences between nurse practitioner and physician primary care. Medical Care, 59(2), 177–184. https://doi.org/10.1097/MLR.0000000000001477 Cross-sectional cost decomposition: physician care 21–34% more costly than NP care across all risk strata in Medicare population.

[10] Harrison, J. M., Kranz, A. M., Chen, A. Y., Liu, H. H., Martsolf, G. R., Cohen, C. C., & Dworsky, M. (2023). The impact of nurse practitioner-led primary care on quality and cost for Medicaid-enrolled patients in states with pay parity. Health Services Research, 58(3), 567–578. https://doi.org/10.1177/00469580231167013 Retro-cohort study across 14 states; NP care comparable to physician care in quality and cost for Medicaid patients.

[13] Morgan, P. A., Smith, V. A., Berkowitz, T. S. Z., Edelman, D., Van Houtven, C. H., Woolson, S. L., Hendrix, C. C., Everett, C. M., Bigger, J. T., & Jackson, G. L. (2019). Impact of physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants on utilization and costs for complex patients. Health Affairs, 38(6), 1028–1036. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2019.00014 VA cohort study: NP/PA total care costs 6–7% lower than physician costs; NP patients had $2,005 lower annual costs.

[14] Carranza, A. N., Munoz, P. J., & Nash, A. J. (2021). Comparing quality of care in medical specialties between nurse practitioners and physicians. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 33(3), 184–193. https://doi.org/10.1097/JXX.0000000000000442 Review of 11 U.S. and international studies; NPs perform as well as or better than physicians on multiple specialty care quality measures.

[15] Donelan, K., DesRoches, C. M., Dittus, R. S., & Buerhaus, P. (2013). Perspectives of physicians and nurse practitioners on primary care practice. New England Journal of Medicine, 368(20), 1898–1906. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsa1212938 National survey of 1,006 physicians and 416 NPs; both groups report NPs provide comparable quality of primary care.

[16] Park, J., & Huson, K. (2025). State health and the level of practice authority for nurse practitioners. Nursing Outlook, 73(1), 102319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2024.102319 NP full practice authority associated with improved state health rankings; 385,000+ licensed NPs in the U.S.

[17] Leiffer, A. R., & Churpek, M. M. (2023, May). The national physician shortage: Disconcerting HRSA and AAMC reports. Journal of General Internal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-025-09575-7 Summarizes HRSA projection of 124,180–187,130 physician FTE shortage by 2027–2037; highlights NPs as mitigation.

[18] Timmons, E. J., & Barnes, C. (2022). The association between nurse practitioner scope of practice laws and the quality and cost of care for Medicare beneficiaries. Health Services Research, 57(1), 111–119. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.13664 Expanded NP scope of practice laws associated with improved quality metrics and cost containment in Medicare population.

[19] McMenamin, A., Sun, C., Prvu Bettger, J., & Alexander, K. P. (2023). Primary care from nurse practitioners: A systematic review of care outcomes for patients with chronic conditions. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 19(5), 104576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2023.104576 Systematic review of 15 studies (2003–2021): NP care resulted in improved or equal outcomes for chronic condition patients.

[20] AWHONN. (2023). Advanced practice registered nurses [Position statement]. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 52(2), e1–e4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2022.12.001 Supports full practice authority for APRNs as independent providers of women’s and newborn health care.

Also read: MSN560 Transitions in Practice: The Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse | Complete Expert Guide