Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification & Education Show
July 7, 2008 Completed through the work of the APRN Consensus Work Group & the National Council of State Boards of Nursing APRN Advisory Committee The APRN Consensus Work Group and the APRN Joint Dialogue Group members would like to recognize the significant contribution to the development of this report made by Jean Johnson, PhD, RN-C, FAAN, Senior Associate Dean, Health Sciences, George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Consensus could not have been reached without her experienced and dedicated facilitation of these two national, multi-organizational groups. LIST OF ENDORSING ORGANIZATIONSThis Final Report of the APRN Consensus Work Group and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing APRN Advisory Committee has been disseminated to participating organizations. The names of endorsing organizations will be added periodically. The following organizations have endorsed the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, and Education (July 2008). (Posted December 2010) N = 48 Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Certification Corporation American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) American College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP) American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) American Nurses Association (ANA) American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) Arkansas State Board of Nursing Association of Faculties of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (AFPNP) Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) Dermatology Nurses Association (DNA) Dermatology Nursing Certification Board (DNCB) Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) The International Society of Psychiatric Nurses (ISPN) National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) National Association of Orthopedic Nurses (NAON) National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses (NBCHPN) National Board on Certification & Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) National Certification Corporation (NCC) National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) National Gerontological Nursing Association (NGNA) National League for Nursing (NLN) National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc. (NLNAC) National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH) Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs (NOVA) Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Orthopedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB) Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB) INTRODUCTIONAdvanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) have expanded in numbers and capabilities over the past several decades with APRNs being highly valued and an integral part of the health care system. Because of the importance of APRNs in caring for the current and future health needs of patients, the education, accreditation, certification and licensure of APRNs need to be effectively aligned in order to continue to ensure patient safety while expanding patient access to APRNs. APRNs include certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified nurse-midwives, clinical nurse specialists and certified nurse practitioners. Each has a unique history and context, but shares the commonality of being APRNs. While education, accreditation, and certification are necessary components of an overall approach to preparing an APRN for practice, the licensing boards-governed by state regulations and statutes-are the final arbiters of who is recognized to practice within a given state. Currently, there is no uniform model of regulation of APRNs across the states. Each state independently determines the APRN legal scope of practice, the roles that are recognized, the criteria for entry-into advanced practice and the certification examinations accepted for entry-level competence assessment. This has created a significant barrier for APRNs to easily move from state to state and has decreased access to care for patients. Many nurses with advanced graduate nursing preparation practice in roles and specialties (e.g., informatics, public health, education, or administration) that are essential to advance the health of the public but do not focus on direct care to individuals and, therefore, their practice does not require regulatory recognition beyond the Registered Nurse license granted by state boards of nursing. Like the four current APRN roles, practice in these other advanced specialty nursing roles requires specialized knowledge and skills acquired through graduate-level education. Although extremely important to the nursing profession and to the delivery of safe, high quality patient care, these other advanced, graduate nursing roles, which do not focus on direct patient care, are not roles for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) and are not the subject or focus of the Regulatory Model presented in this paper. The model for APRN regulation is the product of substantial work conducted by the Advanced Practice Nursing Consensus Work Group and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) APRN Committee. While these groups began work independent of each other, they came together through representatives of each group participating in what was labeled the APRN Joint Dialogue Group. The outcome of this work has been unanimous agreement on most of the recommendations included in this document. In a few instances, when agreement was not unanimous a 66 percent majority was used to determine the final recommendation. However, extensive dialogue and transparency in the decision-making process is reflected in each recommendation. The background of each group can be found on pages 13-16 and individual and organizational participants in each group in Appendices C-H. This document defines APRN practice, describes the APRN regulatory model, identifies the titles to be used, defines specialty, describes the emergence of new roles and population foci, and presents strategies for implementation. Overview of APRN Model of RegulationThe APRN Model of Regulation described will be the model of the future. It is recognized that current regulation of APRNs does not reflect all of the components described in this paper and will evolve incrementally over time. A proposed timeline for implementation is presented at the end of the paper. In this APRN model of regulation there are four roles: certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), certified nurse-midwife (CNM), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), and certified nurse practitioner (CNP). These four roles are given the title of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). APRNs are educated in one of the four roles and in at least one of six population foci: family/individual across the lifespan, adult-gerontology, pediatrics, neonatal, women’s health/gender-related or psych/mental health. APRN education programs, including degree-granting and post-graduate education programs2, are accredited. APRN education consists of a broad-based education, including three separate graduate-level courses in advanced physiology/pathophysiology, health assessment and pharmacology as well as appropriate clinical experiences. All developing APRN education programs or tracks go through a pre-approval, pre-accreditation, or accreditation process prior to admitting students. APRN education programs must be housed within graduate programs that are nationally accredited3 and their graduates must be eligible for national certification used for state licensure. Individuals who have the appropriate education will sit for a certification examination to assess national competencies of the APRN core, role and at least one population focus area of practice for regulatory purposes. APRN certification programs will be accredited by a national certification accrediting body4. APRN certification programs will require a continued competency mechanism. Individuals will be licensed as independent practitioners for practice at the level of one of the four APRN roles within at least one of the six identified population foci. Education, certification, and licensure of an individual must be congruent in terms of role and population foci. APRNs may specialize but they cannot be licensed solely within a specialty area. In addition, specialties can provide depth in one’s practice within the established population foci. Education and assessment strategies for specialty areas will be developed by the nursing profession, i.e., nursing organizations and special interest groups. Education for a specialty can occur concurrently with APRN education required for licensure or through post-graduate education. Competence at the specialty level will not be assessed or regulated by boards of nursing but rather by the professional organizations. In addition, a mechanism that enhances the communication and transparency among APRN licensure, accreditation, certification and education bodies (LACE) will be developed and supported. APRN REGULATORY MODELAPRN Regulation includes the essential elements: licensure, accreditation, certification and education (LACE).
The APRN Regulatory Model applies to all elements of LACE. Each of these elements plays an essential part in the implementation of the model. Definition of Advanced Practice Registered NurseCharacteristics of the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) were identified and several definitions of an APRN were considered, including the NCSBN and the American Nurses Association (ANA) definitions, as well as others. The characteristics identified aligned closely with these existing definitions. The definition of an APRN, delineated in this document, includes language that addresses responsibility and accountability for health promotion and the assessment, diagnosis, and management of patient problems, which includes the use and prescription of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. The definition of an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) is a nurse: 1.who has completed an accredited graduate-level education program preparing him/her for one of the four recognized APRN roles; 2.who has passed a national certification examination that measures APRN, role and population-focused competencies and who maintains continued competence as evidenced by recertification in the role and population through the national certification program; 3.who has acquired advanced clinical knowledge and skills preparing him/her to provide direct care to patients, as well as a component of indirect care; however, the defining factor for all APRNs is that a significant component of the education and practice focuses on direct care of individuals; 4.whose practice builds on the competencies of registered nurses (RNs) by demonstrating a greater depth and breadth of knowledge, a greater synthesis of data, increased complexity of skills and interventions, and greater role autonomy; 5.who is educationally prepared to assume responsibility and accountability for health promotion and/or maintenance as well as the assessment, diagnosis, and management of patient problems, which includes the use and prescription of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions; 6.who has clinical experience of sufficient depth and breadth to reflect the intended license; and 7.who has obtained a license to practice as an APRN in one of the four APRN roles: certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), certified nurse-midwife (CNM), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), or certified nurse practitioner (CNP). Advanced practice registered nurses are licensed independent practitioners who are expected to practice within standards established or recognized by a licensing body. Each APRN is accountable to patients, the nursing profession, and the licensing board to comply with the requirements of the state nurse practice act and the quality of advanced nursing care rendered; for recognizing limits of knowledge and experience, planning for the management of situations beyond the APRN’s expertise; and for consulting with or referring patients to other health care providers as appropriate. All APRNs are educationally prepared to provide a scope of services across the health wellness-illness continuum to at least one population focus as defined by nationally recognized role and population-focused competencies; however, the emphasis and implementation within each APRN role varies. The services or care provided by APRNs is not defined or limited by setting but rather by patient care needs. The continuum encompasses the range of health states from homeostasis (or wellness) to a disruption in the state of health in which basic needs are not met or maintained (illness), with health problems of varying acuity occurring along the continuum that must be prevented or resolved to maintain wellness or an optimal level of functioning (WHO, 2006). Although all APRNs are educationally prepared to provide care to patients across the health wellness-illness continuum, the emphasis and how implemented within each APRN role varies. The Certified Registered Nurse AnesthetistThe Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist is prepared to provide the full spectrum of patients’ anesthesia care and anesthesia-related care for individuals across the lifespan, whose health status may range from healthy through all recognized levels of acuity, including persons with immediate, severe, or life-threatening illnesses or injury. This care is provided in diverse settings, including hospital surgical suites and obstetrical delivery rooms; critical access hospitals; acute care; pain management centers; ambulatory surgical centers; and the offices of dentists, podiatrists, ophthalmologists, and plastic surgeons. The Certified Nurse-MidwifeThe certified nurse-midwife provides a full range of primary health care services to women throughout the lifespan, including gynecologic care, family planning services, preconception care, prenatal and postpartum care, childbirth, and care of the newborn. The practice includes treating the male partner of their female clients for sexually transmitted disease and reproductive health. This care is provided in diverse settings, which may include home, hospital, birth center, and a variety of ambulatory care settings including private offices and community and public health clinics. The Clinical Nurse SpecialistThe CNS has a unique APRN role to integrate care across the continuum and through three spheres of influence: patient, nurse, system. The three spheres are overlapping and interrelated but each sphere possesses a distinctive focus. In each of the spheres of influence, the primary goal of the CNS is continuous improvement of patient outcomes and nursing care. Key elements of CNS practice are to create environments through mentoring and system changes that empower nurses to develop caring, evidence-based practices to alleviate patient distress, facilitate ethical decision-making, and respond to diversity. The CNS is responsible and accountable for diagnosis and treatment of health/illness states, disease management, health promotion, and prevention of illness and risk behaviors among individuals, families, groups, and communities. The Certified Nurse PractitionerFor the certified nurse practitioner (CNP), care along the wellness-illness continuum is a dynamic process in which direct primary and acute care is provided across settings. CNPs are members of the health delivery system, practicing autonomously in areas as diverse as family practice, pediatrics, internal medicine, geriatrics, and women’s health care. CNPs are prepared to diagnose and treat patients with undifferentiated symptoms as well as those with established diagnoses. Both primary and acute care CNPs provide initial, ongoing, and comprehensive care, includes taking comprehensive histories, providing physical examinations and other health assessment and screening activities, and diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with acute and chronic illnesses and diseases. This includes ordering, performing, supervising, and interpreting laboratory and imaging studies; prescribing medication and durable medical equipment; and making appropriate referrals for patients and families. Clinical CNP care includes health promotion, disease prevention, health education, and counseling as well as the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic diseases. Certified nurse practitioners are prepared to practice as primary care CNPs and acute care CNPs, which have separate national consensus-based competencies and separate certification processes. TitlingThe title Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) is the licensing title to be used for the subset of nurses prepared with advanced, graduate-level nursing knowledge to provide direct patient care in four roles: certified registered nurse anesthetist, certified nurse-midwife, clinical nurse specialist, and certified nurse practitioner.5 This title, APRN, is a legally protected title. Licensure and scope of practice are based on graduate education in one of the four roles and in a defined population. Verification of licensure, whether hard copy or electronic, will indicate the role and population for which the APRN has been licensed. At a minimum, an individual must legally represent themselves, including in a legal signature, as an APRN and by the role. He/she may indicate the population as well. No one, except those who are licensed to practice as an APRN, may use the APRN title or any of the APRN role titles. An individual also may add the specialty title in which they are professionally recognized in addition to the legal title of APRN and role. FIGURE D-1APRN Regulatory Model Under this APRN Regulatory Model, there are four roles: certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), certified nurse-midwife (CNM), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), and certified nurse practitioner (CNP). These four roles are given (more...) Broad-Based APRN EducationFor entry into APRN practice and for regulatory purposes, APRN education must:
Preparation in a specialty area of practice is optional but if included must build on the APRN role/population-focus competencies. Clinical and didactic coursework must be comprehensive and sufficient to prepare the graduate to obtain certification for licensure in and to practice in the APRN role and population focus. As part of the accreditation process, all APRN education programs must undergo a pre-approval, pre-accreditation, or accreditation process prior to admitting students. The purpose of the pre-approval process is twofold: 1) to ensure that students graduating from the program will be able to meet the education criteria necessary for national certification in the role and population-focus and if successfully certified, are eligible for licensure to practice in the APRN role/population-focus; and 2) to ensure that programs will meet all educational standards prior to starting the program. The pre-approval, pre-accreditation or accreditation processes may vary across APRN roles. APRN SpecialtiesPreparation in a specialty area of practice is optional, but if included must build on the APRN role/population-focused competencies. Specialty practice represents a much more focused area of preparation and practice than does the APRN role/population focus level. Specialty practice may focus on specific patient populations beyond those identified or health care needs such as oncology, palliative care, substance abuse, or nephrology. The criteria for defining an APRN specialty is built upon the ANA (2004) Criteria for Recognition as a Nursing Specialty (see Appendix B). APRN specialty education and practice build upon and are in addition to the education and practice of the APRN role and population focus. For example, a family CNP could specialize in elder care or nephrology; an Adult-Gerontology CNS could specialize in palliative care; a CRNA could specialize in pain management; or a CNM could specialize in care of the post-menopausal woman. State licensing boards will not regulate the APRN at the level of specialties in this APRN Regulatory Model. Professional certification in the specialty area of practice is strongly recommended. An APRN specialty
New specialties emerge based on health needs of the population. APRN specialties develop to provide added value to the role practice as well as providing flexibility within the profession to meet these emerging needs of patients. Specialties also may cross several or all APRN roles. A specialty evolves out of an APRN role/population focus and indicates that an APRN has additional knowledge and expertise in a more discrete area of specialty practice. Competency in the specialty areas could be acquired either by educational preparation or experience and assessed in a variety of ways through professional credentialing mechanisms (e.g., portfolios, examinations, etc.). Education programs may concurrently prepare individuals in a specialty providing they meet all of the other requirements for APRN education programs, including preparation in the APRN core, role, and population core competencies. In addition, for licensure purposes, one exam must assess the APRN core, role, and population-focused competencies. For example, a nurse anesthetist would write one certification examination, which tests the APRN core, CRNA role, and population-focused competencies, administered by the Council on Certification for Nurse Anesthetist; or a primary care family nurse practitioner would write one certification examination, which tests the APRN core, CNP role, and family population-focused competencies, administered by ANCC or AANP. Specialty competencies must be assessed separately. In summary, education programs preparing individuals with this additional knowledge in a specialty, if used for entry into advanced practice registered nursing and for regulatory purposes, must also prepare individuals in one of the four nationally recognized APRN roles and in one of the six population foci. Individuals must be recognized and credentialed in one of the four APRN roles within at least one population foci. APRNs are licensed at the role/population focus level and not at the specialty level. However, if not intended for entry-level preparation in one of the four roles/population foci and not for regulatory purposes, education programs, using a variety of formats and methodologies, may provide licensed APRNs with the additional knowledge, skills, and abilities, to become professionally certified in the specialty area of APRN practice. Emergence of New APRN Roles and Population-FociAs nursing practice evolves and health care needs of the population change, new APRN roles or population-foci may evolve over time. An APRN role would encompass a unique or significantly differentiated set of competencies from any of the other APRN roles. In addition, the scope of practice within the role or population focus is not entirely subsumed within one of the other roles. Careful consideration of new APRN roles or population-foci is in the best interest of the profession. For licensure, there must be clear guidance for national recognition of a new APRN role or population-focus. A new role or population focus should be discussed and vetted through the national licensure, accreditation, certification, education communication structure: LACE. An essential part of being recognized as a role or population-focus is that educational standards and practice competencies must exist, be consistent, and must be nationally recognized by the profession. Characteristics of the process to be used to develop nationally recognized core competencies, and education and practice standards for a newly emerging role or population-focus are: 1.national in scope 2.inclusive 3.transparent 4.accountable 5.initiated by nursing 6.consistent with national standards for licensure, accreditation, certification and education 7.evidence-based 8.consistent with regulatory principles. To be recognized, an APRN role must meet the following criteria:
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES FOR APRN REGULATORY MODELIn order to accomplish the above model, the four prongs of regulation: licensure, accreditation, certification, and education (LACE) must work together. Expectations for licensure, accreditation, certification, and education are listed below: Foundational Requirements for LicensureBoards of nursing will: 1.license APRNs in the categories of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Certified Nurse-Midwife, Clinical Nurse Specialist or Certified Nurse Practitioner within a specific population focus; 2.be solely responsible for licensing Advanced Practice Registered Nurses7; 3.only license graduates of accredited graduate programs that prepare graduates with the APRN core, role and population competencies; 4.require successful completion of a national certification examination that assesses APRN core, role and population competencies for APRN licensure. 5.not issue a temporary license; 6.only license an APRN when education and certification are congruent; 7.license APRNs as independent practitioners with no regulatory requirements for collaboration, direction or supervision; 8.allow for mutual recognition of advanced practice registered nursing through the APRN Compact; 9.have at least one APRN representative position on the board and utilize an APRN advisory committee that includes representatives of all four APRN roles; and, 10.institute a grandfathering8 clause that will exempt those APRNs already practicing in the state from new eligibility requirements. FIGURE D-2Relationship Among Educational Competencies, Licensure, & Certification in the Role/Population Foci and Education and Credentialing in a Specialty NOTES: Foundational Requirements for Accreditation of Education ProgramsAccreditors will: 1.be responsible for evaluating APRN education programs including graduate degree-granting and post-graduate certificate programs;9 2.through their established accreditation standards and process, assess APRN education programs in light of the APRN core, role core, and population core competencies; 3.assess developing APRN education programs and tracks by reviewing them using established accreditation standards and granting pre-approval, pre-accreditation, or accreditation prior to student enrollment; 4.include an APRN on the visiting team when an APRN program/track is being reviewed; and 5.monitor APRN educational programs throughout the accreditation period by reviewing them using established accreditation standards and processes. Foundational Requirements for CertificationCertification programs providing APRN certification used for licensure will: 1.follow established certification testing and psychometrically sound, legally defensible standards for APRN examinations for licensure (see appendix A for the NCSBN Criteria for APRN Certification Programs); 2.assess the APRN core and role competencies across at least one population focus of practice; 3.assess specialty competencies, if appropriate, separately from the APRN core, role and population-focused competencies; 4.be accredited by a national certification accreditation body;10 5.enforce congruence (role and population focus) between the education program and the type of certification examination; 6.provide a mechanism to ensure ongoing competence and maintenance of certification; 7.participate in ongoing relationships which make their processes transparent to boards of nursing; 8.participate in a mutually agreeable mechanism to ensure communication with boards of nursing and schools of nursing. Foundational Requirements for EducationAPRN education programs/tracks leading to APRN licensure, including graduate degree-granting and post-graduate certificate programs will: 1.follow established educational standards and ensure attainment of the APRN core, role core and population core competencies;11,12 2.be accredited by a nursing accrediting organization that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA);13 3.be pre-approved, pre-accredited, or accredited prior to the acceptance of students, including all developing APRN education programs and tracks; 4.ensure that graduates of the program are eligible for national certification and state licensure; and 5.ensure that official documentation (e.g., transcript) specifies the role and population focus of the graduate. Communication StrategiesA formal communication mechanism, LACE, which includes those regulatory organizations that represent APRN licensure, accreditation, certification, and education entities would be created. The purpose of LACE would be to provide a formal, ongoing communication mechanism that provides for transparent and aligned communication among the identified entities. The collaborative efforts between the APRN Consensus Group and the NCSBN APRN Advisory Panel, through the APRN Joint Dialogue Group have illustrated the ongoing level of communication necessary among these groups to ensure that all APRN stakeholders are involved. Several strategies including equal representation on an integrated board with face-to-face meetings, audio and teleconferencing, pass-protected access to agency web sites, and regular reporting mechanisms have been recommended. These strategies will build trust and enhance information sharing. Examples of issues to be addressed by the group would be: guaranteeing appropriate representation of APRN roles among accreditation site visitors, documentation of program completion by education institutions, notification of examination outcomes to educators and regulators, notification of disciplinary action toward licensees by boards of nursing. Creating the LACE Structure and ProcessesSeveral principles should guide the formulation of a structure including: 1) all four entities of LACE should have representation; 2) the total should allow effective discussion of and response to issues and; 3) the structure should not be duplicative of existing structures such as the Alliance for APRN Credentialing. Consideration should be given to evolving the existing Alliance structure to meet the needs of LACE. Guidance from an organizational consultant will be useful in forming a permanent structure that will endure and support the work that needs to continue. The new structure will support fair decision-making among all relevant stakeholders. In addition, the new structure will be in place as soon as possible. The LACE organizational structure should include representation of:
Timeline for Implementation of Regulatory ModelImplementation of the recommendations for an APRN Regulatory Model will occur incrementally. Due to the interdependence of licensure, accreditation, certification, and education, certain recommendations will be implemented sequentially. However, recognizing that this model was developed through a consensus process with participation of APRN certifiers, accreditors, public regulators, educators, and employers, it is expected that the recommendations and model delineated will inform decisions made by each of these entities as the APRN community moves to fully implement the APRN Regulatory Model. A target date for full implementation of the Regulatory Model and all embedded recommendations is the Year 2015. HISTORICAL BACKGROUNDNCSBN APRN Committee (previously APRN Advisory Panel)NCSBN became involved with advanced practice nursing when boards of nursing began using the results of APRN certification examinations as one of the requirements for APRN licensure. During the 1993 NCSBN annual meeting, delegates adopted a position paper on the licensure of advanced nursing practice which included model legislation language and model administrative rules for advanced nursing practice. NCSBN core competencies for certified nurse practitioners were adopted the following year. In 1995, NCSBN was directed by the Delegate Assembly to work with APRN certifiers to make certification examinations suitable for regulatory purposes. Since then, much effort has been made toward that purpose. During the mid and late 90’s, the APRN certifiers agreed to undergo accreditation and provide additional information to boards of nursing to ensure that their examinations were psychometrically sound and legally defensible (NCSBN, 1998). During the early 2000s, the APRN Advisory Panel developed criteria for ARPN certification programs and for accreditations agencies. In January 2002, the board of directors approved the criteria and process for a new review process for APRN certification programs. The criteria represented required elements of certification programs that would result in a legally defensible examination suitable for the regulation of advanced practice nurses. Subsequently, the APRN Advisory Panel has worked with certification programs to improve the legal defensibility of APRN certification examinations and to promote communication with all APRN stakeholders regarding APRN regulatory issues such as with the establishment of the annual NCSBN APRN Roundtable in the mid 1990’s. In 2002, the Advisory Panel also developed a position paper describing APRN regulatory issues of concern. In 2003, the APRN Advisory Panel began a draft APRN vision paper in an attempt to resolve APRN regulatory concerns such as the proliferation of APRN subspecialty areas. The purpose of the APRN Vision Paper was to provide direction to boards of nursing regarding APRN regulation for the next 8-10 years by identifying an ideal future APRN regulatory model. Eight recommendations were made. The draft vision paper was completed in 2006. After reviewing the draft APRN vision paper at their February 2006 board meeting, the board of directors directed that the paper be disseminated to boards of nursing and APRN stakeholders for feedback. The Vision paper also was discussed during the 2006 APRN Roundtable. The large response from boards of nursing and APRN stakeholders was varied. The APRN Advisory Panel spent the remaining part of 2006, reviewing and discussing the feedback with APRN stakeholders. (See Appendix C for the list of APRN Advisory Panel members who worked on the draft APRN Vision Paper and Appendix D for the list of organizations represented at the 2006 APRN Roundtable where the draft vision paper was presented.) APRN Consensus GroupIn March 2004, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) submitted a proposal to the Alliance for Nursing Accreditation, now named Alliance for APRN Credentialing14 (hereafter referred to as “the APRN Alliance”) to establish a process to develop a consensus15 statement on the credentialing of advanced practice nurses (APNs).16 The APRN Alliance17, created in 1997, was convened by AACN to regularly discuss issues related to nursing education, practice, and credentialing. A number of differing views on how APN practice is defined, what constitutes specialization versus subspecialization, and the appropriate credentialing requirements that would authorize practice had emerged over the past several years. An invitation to participate in a national APN consensus process was sent to 50 organizations that were identified as having an interest in advanced practice nursing (see Appendix F). Thirty-two organizations participated in the APN Consensus Conference in Washington, D.C. June 2004. The focus of the one-day meeting was to initiate an in-depth examination of issues related to APN definition, specialization, sub-specialization, and regulation, which includes accreditation, education, certification, and licensure18. Based on recommendations generated in the June 2004 APN Consensus Conference, the Alliance formed a smaller work group made up of designees from 23 organizations with broad representation of APN certification, licensure, education, accreditation, and practice. The charge to the work group was to develop a statement that addresses the issues, delineated during the APN Consensus Conference with the goal of envisioning a future model for APNs. The Alliance APN Consensus Work Group (hereafter referred to as “the Work Group”) convened for 16 days of intensive discussion between October 2004 and July 2007 (see Appendix H for a list of organizations represented on the APN Work Group). In December 2004, the American Nurses Association (ANA) and AACN co-hosted an APN stakeholder meeting to address those issues identified at the June 2004 APN Consensus meeting. Attendees agreed to ask the APN Work Group to continue to craft a consensus statement that would include recommendations regarding APN regulation, specialization, and subspecialization. It also was agreed that organizations in attendance who had not participated in the June 2004 APN Consensus meeting would be included in the APN Consensus Group and that this larger group would reconvene at a future date to discuss the recommendations of the APN Work Group. Following the December 2004 APN Consensus meeting, the Work Group continued to work diligently to reach consensus on the issues surrounding APRN education, practice, accreditation, certification, and licensure, and to create a future consensus-based model for APRN regulation. Subsequent APRN Consensus Group meetings were held in September 2005 and June 2006. All organizations who participated in the APRN Consensus Group are listed in Appendix G. APRN Joint Dialogue GroupIn April, 2006, the APRN Advisory Panel met with the APRN Consensus Work Group to discuss APRN issues described in the NCSBN draft vision paper. The APRN Consensus Work Group requested and was provided with feedback from the APRN Advisory Panel regarding the APRN Consensus Group Report. Both groups agreed to continue to dialogue. As the APRN Advisory Panel and APRN Consensus Work Group continued their work in parallel fashion, concerns regarding the need for each group’s work not to conflict with the other were expressed. A subgroup of seven people from the APRN Consensus Work Group and seven individuals from the APRN Advisory Panel were convened in January, 2007. The group called itself the APRN Joint Dialogue Group (see Appendix E) and the agenda consisted of discussing areas of agreement and disagreement between the two groups. The goal of the subgroup meetings was anticipated to be two papers that did not conflict, but rather complemented each other. However, as the APRN Joint Dialogue Group continued to meet, much progress was made regarding areas of agreement; it was determined that rather than two papers being disseminated, one joint paper would be developed, which reflected the work of both groups. This document is the product of the work of the APRN Joint Dialogue Group and through the consensus-based work of the APRN Consensus Work Group and the NCSBN APRN Advisory Committee. Assumptions Underlying the Work of the Joint Dialogue GroupThe consensus-based recommendations that have emerged from the extensive dialogue and consensus-based processes delineated in this report are based on the following assumptions:
CONCLUSIONThe recommendations offered in this paper present an APRN regulatory model as a collaborative effort among APRN educators, accreditors, certifiers, and licensure bodies. The essential elements of APRN regulation are identified as licensure, accreditation, certification, and education. The recommendations reflect a need and desire to collaborate among regulatory bodies to achieve a sound model and continued communication with the goal of increasing the clarity and uniformity of APRN regulation. The goals of the consensus processes were to:
In summary, this report includes: a definition of the APRN Regulatory Model, including a definition of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse; a definition of broad-based APRN education; a model for regulation that ensures APRN education and certification as a valid and reliable process, that is based on nationally recognized and accepted standards; uniform recommendations for licensing bodies across states; a process and characteristics for recognizing a new APRN role; and a definition of an APRN specialty that allows for the profession to meet future patient and nursing needs. The work of the Joint Dialogue Group in conjunction with all organizations representing APRN licensure, accreditation, certification, and education to advance a regulatory model is an ongoing collaborative process that is fluid and dynamic. As health care evolves and new standards and needs emerge, the APRN Regulatory Model will advance accordingly to allow APRNs to care for patients in a safe environment to the full potential of their nursing knowledge and skill. REFERENCES
APPENDIX A. NCSBN Criteria for Evaluating Certification Programs
APPENDIX B. American Nurses AssociationCongress on Nursing Practice and Economics2004Recognition as a Nursing SpecialtyThe process of recognizing an area of practice as a nursing specialty allows the profession to formally identify subset areas of focused practice. A clear description of that nursing practice assists the larger community of nurses, healthcare consumers, and others to gain familiarity and understanding of the nursing specialty. Therefore, the document requesting ANA recognition must clearly and fully address each of the fourteen specialty recognition criteria. The inclusion of additional materials to support the discussion and promote understanding of the criteria is acceptable. A scope of practice statement must accompany the submission requesting recognition as a nursing specialty. Criteria for Recognition as a Nursing SpecialtyThe following criteria are used by the Congress on Nursing Practice and Economics in the review and decision-making processes to recognize an area of practice as a nursing specialty: A nursing specialty: 1.Defines itself as nursing. 2.Adheres to the overall licensure requirements of the profession. 3.Subscribes to the overall purposes and functions of nursing. 4.Is clearly defined. 5.Is practiced nationally or internationally. 6.Includes a substantial number of nurses who devote most of their practice to the specialty. 7.Can identify a need and demand for itself. 8.Has a well derived knowledge base particular to the practice of the nursing specialty. 9.Is concerned with phenomena of the discipline of nursing. 10.Defines competencies for the area of nursing specialty practice. 11.Has existing mechanisms for supporting, reviewing and disseminating research to support its knowledge base. 12.Has defined educational criteria for specialty preparation or graduate degree. 13.Has continuing education programs or continuing competence mechanisms for nurses in the specialty. 14.Is organized and represented by a national specialty association or branch of a parent organization. APPENDIX C. NCSBN APRN Committee Members, 2003-20082003
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APPENDIX D2006 NCSBN APRN Roundtable Organization Attendance List Alabama Board of Nursing American Academy of Nurse Practitioners American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Program, Inc American Association of Colleges of Nursing American Association of Critical-Care Nurses American Association of Nurse Anesthetists American Association of Psychiatric Nurses American Board of Nursing Specialties American College of Nurse-Midwives American College of Nurse Practitioners American Holistic Nurses’ Certification Corporation American Midwifery Certification Board American Nurses Association American Nurses Credentialing Center American Organization of Nurses Executives Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs Emergency Nurses Association George Washington School of Medicine Idaho Board of Nursing Kansas Board of Nursing Kentucky Board of Nursing Massachusetts Board of Nursing Mississippi Board of Nursing National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners National Board for Certification of Hospice & Palliative Nurses National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Specialties National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission North Carolina Board of Nursing Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation Pediatric Nursing Certification Board Rhode Island Board of Nursing Texas Board of Nurse Examiners Utah Board of Nursing Vermont Board of Nursing Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board 2007 APRN Roundtable Attendance List ABNS Accreditation Council Alabama Board of Nursing American Academy of Nurse Practitioners American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Program, Inc American Association of Colleges of Nursing American Association of Critical-Care Nurses American Association of Nurse Anesthetists American College of Nurse-Midwives American College of Nurse Practitioners American Midwifery Certification Board American Nurses Credentialing Center - Certification Services American Organization of Nurse Executives Arkansas State Board of Nursing Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing Colorado Board of Nursing Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists and Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists Emergency Nurses Association Idaho Board of Nursing Illinois State Board of Nursing Kansas Board of Nursing Kentucky Board of Nursing Loyola University Chicago Niehoff School of Nursing Minnesota Board of Nursing Mississippi Board of Nursing National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Specialties National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation Pediatric Nursing Certification Board Pennsylvania Board of Nursing Rhode Island Board of Nursing Rush University College of Nursing South Dakota Board of Nursing Tennessee Board of Nursing Texas Board of Nurse Examiners Vermont Board of Nursing APPENDIX E. APRN Joint Dialogue GroupOrganizations represented at the Joint Dialogue Group MeetingsAmerican Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program American Association of Colleges of Nursing American Association of Nurse Anesthetists American College of Nurse-Midwives American Nurses Association American Organization of Nurse Executives Compact Administrators National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists National Council of State Boards of Nursing National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties NCSBN APRN Advisory Committee Representatives (5) APPENDIX F. Organizations invited to APN Consensus ConferenceJune 2004Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education American Academy of Nurse Practitioners American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program American Academy of Nursing American Association of Critical Care Nurses American Association of Critical Care Nurses Certification Program American Association of Nurse Anesthetists American Association of Occupational Health Nurses American Board of Nursing Specialties American College of Nurse-Midwives American College of Nurse Practitioners American Nurses Association American Nurses Credentialing Center American Organization of Nurse Executives American Psychiatric Nurses Association Association of Faculties of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Association of Rehabilitation Nurses Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses Certification Board Perioperative Nursing Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs Division of Nursing, DHHS, HRSA Emergency Nurses Association Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association International Nurses Society on Addictions International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses NANDA International National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists National Association of Neonatal Nurses National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health, Council on Accreditation National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners National Association of School Nurses National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Specialties National Conference of Gerontological Nurse Practitioners National Council of State Boards of Nursing National Gerontological Nursing Association National League for Nursing National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators/State of Utah Department of Commerce/Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation Oncology Nursing Society Pediatric Nursing Certification Board Sigma Theta Tau, International Society of Pediatric Nurses Wound Ostomy & Continence Nurses Society Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Certification Board APPENDIX G. Organizations participating in APRN consensus processAcademy of Medical-Surgical Nurses Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education American Academy of Nurse Practitioners American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program American Association of Colleges of Nursing American Association of Critical Care Nurses Certification American Association of Neuroscience Nurses American Association of Nurse Anesthetists American Association of Occupational Health Nurses American Board for Occupational Health Nurses American Board of Nursing Specialties American College of Nurse-Midwives American College of Nurse-Midwives Division of Accreditation American College of Nurse Practitioners American Holistic Nurses Association American Nephrology Nurses Association American Nurses Association American Nurses Credentialing Center American Organization of Nurse Executives American Psychiatric Nurses Association American Society for Pain Management Nursing American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses Association of Community Health Nursing Educators Association of Faculties of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Association of Nurses in AIDS Care Association of PeriOperative Registered Nurses Association of Rehabilitation Nurses Association of State and Territorial Directors of nursing Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs Department of Health Dermatology Nurses Association District of Columbia Board of Nursing Division of Nursing, DHHS, HRSA Emergency Nurses Association George Washington University Health Resources and Services Administration Infusion Nurses Society International Nurses Society on Addictions International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses Kentucky Board of Nursing National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists National Association of Neonatal Nurses National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health, Council on Accreditation National Association of Orthopedic Nurses National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners National Association of School of Nurses National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing Specialties National Conference of Gerontological Nurse Practitioners National Council of State Boards of Nursing National League for Nursing National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission North American Nursing Diagnosis Association International Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation Oncology Nursing Society Pediatric Nursing Certification Board Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing Public Health Nursing Section of the American Public Health Association. Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board Society for Vascular Nursing Texas Nurses Association Texas State Board of Nursing Utah State Board of Nursing Women’s Health, Obstetric & Neonatal Nurses Wound, Ostomy, & Continence Nurses Society Wound, Ostomy, & Continence Nursing Certification APPENDIX H. APRN Consensus Process Work GroupOrganizations Represented at the Work Group MeetingsJan Towers, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program Joan Stanley, American Association of Colleges of Nursing Carol Hartigan, American Association of Critical Care Nurses Certification Corporation Leo LeBel, American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Bonnie Niebuhr, American Board of Nursing Specialties Peter Johnson & Elaine Germano, American College of Nurse-Midwives Mary Jean Schumann, American Nurses Association Mary Smolenski, American Nurses Credentialing Center M.T. Meadows, American Organization of Nurse Executives Edna Hamera & Sandra Talley, American Psychiatric Nurses Association Elizabeth Hawkins-Walsh, Association of Faculties of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Jennifer Butlin, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Laura Poe, APRN Compact Administrators Betty Horton, Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs Kelly Goudreau, National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists Fran Way, National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health, Council on Accreditation Mimi Bennett, National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing Specialties Kathy Apple, National Council of State Boards of Nursing Grace Newsome & Sharon Tanner, National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission Kitty Werner & Ann O’Sullivan, National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties Cyndi Miller-Murphy, Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation Janet Wyatt, Pediatric Nursing Certification Board Carol Calianno, Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board Irene Sandvold, DHHS, HRSA, Division of Nursing (observer) ADDENDUMExample of a National Consensus-Building Process to Develop Nationally Recognized Education Standards and Role/Specialty CompetenciesThe national consensus-based process described here was originally designed, with funding by the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Health Professions, Division of Nursing, to develop and validate national consensus-based primary care nurse practitioner competencies in five specialty areas. The process was developed with consultation from a nationally recognized expert in higher education assessment. The process subsequently has been used and validated for the development of similar sets of competencies for other areas of nursing practice, including competencies for mass casualty education for all nurses and competencies for acute care nurse practitioners and psych/mental health nurse practitioners. This process for developing nationally recognized educational standards, nationally recognized role competencies and nationally recognized specialty competencies is an iterative, step-wise process. The steps are: Step 1: At the request of the organization(s) representing the role or specialty, a neutral group or groups convenes and facilitates a national panel of all stakeholder organizations as defined in step 2. Step 2: To ensure broad representation, invitations to participate should be extended to one representative of each of the recognized nursing accrediting organizations, certifiers within the role and specialty, groups whose primary mission is graduate education and who have established educational criteria for the identified role and specialty, and groups with competencies and standards for education programs that prepare individuals in the role and specialty. Step 3: Organizational representatives serving on the national consensus panel bring and share role delineation studies, competencies for practice and education, scopes and standards of practice, and standards for education programs. Step 4: Agreement is reached among the panel members Step 5: Panel members take the draft to their individual boards for feedback. Step 6: That feedback is returned to the panel. This is an iterative process until agreement is reached. Step 7: Validation is sought from a larger group of stakeholders including organizations and individuals. This is known as the Validation Panel. Step 8: Feedback from the Validation Panel is returned to National Panel to prepare the final document. Step 9: Final document is sent to boards represented on the National Panel and the Validation Panel for endorsement. The final document demonstrates national consensus through consideration of broad input from key stakeholders. The document is then widely disseminated. 12 Degree granting programs include master’s and doctoral programs. Post-graduate programs include both post-master’s and post-doctoral certificate education programs. 3APRN education programs must be accredited by a nursing accrediting organization that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), including the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME), and the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health Council on Accreditation. 4The certification program should be nationally accredited by the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) or the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). 5Nurses with advanced graduate nursing preparation practicing in roles and specialties that do not provide direct care to individuals and, therefore, whose practice does not require regulatory recognition beyond the Registered Nurse license granted by state boards of nursing may not use any term or title which may confuse the public, including advanced practice nurse or advanced practice registered nurse. The term “advanced public health nursing” however, may be used to identify nurses practicing in this advanced specialty area of nursing. 6The professional certification program should be nationally accredited by the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) or the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). 7Except in states where state boards of nurse-midwifery or midwifery regulate nurse-midwives or nurse-midwives and midwives jointly. 8Grandfathering is a provision in a new law exempting those already in or a part of the existing system that is being regulated. When states adopt new eligibility requirements for APRNs, currently practicing APRNs will be permitted to continue practicing within the state(s) of their current licensure. However, if an APRN applies for licensure by endorsement in another state, the APRN would be eligible for licensure if s/he demonstrates that the following criteria have been met:
Once the model has been adopted and implemented (date to be determined by the state boards of nursing. See proposed timeline on page 14-15.) all new graduates applying for APRN licensure must meet the requirements outlined in this regulatory model. 9Degree-granting programs include both master’s and doctoral programs. Post-graduate certificate programs include post-master’s and post-doctoral education programs. 10The certification program should be nationally accredited by the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) or the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). 11The APRN core competencies for all APRN nursing education programs located in schools of nursing are delineated in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (1996) The Essentials of Master’s Education for Advanced Practice Nursing Education or the AACN (2006) The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice. The APRN core competencies for nurse anesthesia and nurse-midwifery education programs located outside of a school of nursing are delineated by the accrediting organizations for their respective roles i.e., Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). 12APRN programs outside of schools of nursing must prepare graduates with the APRN core which includes three separate graduate-level courses in pathophysiology/physiology, health assessment, and pharmacology. 13APRN education programs must be accredited by a nursing accrediting organization that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), including the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME), and the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health Council on Accreditation. 14At its March 2006 meeting, the Alliance for Nursing Accreditation voted to change its name to the Alliance for APRN Credentialing which more accurately reflects its membership. 15The goal of the APRN Work Group was unanimous agreement on all issues and recommendations. However, this was recognized as an unrealistic expectation and may delay the process; therefore, consensus was defined as a two thirds majority agreement by those members of the Work Group present at the table as organizational representatives with each participating organization having one vote. 16The term advanced practice nurse (APN) was initially used by the Work Group and is used in this section of the report to accurately reflect the background discussion. However, the Work group reached consensus that the term advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) should be adopted for use in subsequent discussions and documents. 17Organizational members of the Alliance for APRN Credentialing : American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Certification Corporation, Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, American College of Nurse-Midwives, American Nurses Credentialing Center, Association of Faculties of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, Inc., Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health, Council on Accreditation, Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, The National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Specialties, National Council of State Boards of Nursing, National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties 18The term regulation refers to the four prongs of regulation: licensure, accreditation, certification and education. What are the four core roles for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse RN )? Select all that apply quizlet?Rationale: The four core roles for APRNs include clinical nurse specialist (CNS), certified nurse midwife (CNM), certified RN anesthetist (CRNA), and certified nurse practitioner (CNP).
What are the core roles for an advanced practice registered nurse?APRNs treat and diagnose illnesses, advise the public on health issues, manage chronic disease, and engage in continuous education to remain ahead of any technological, methodological, or other developments in the field.
What are the 4 pillars of nursing?Advanced level nursing practice has four pillars of practice, which the advanced practitioner must have as part of their core role and function. These four pillars are: Clinical/direct care • Leadership and collaborative practice • Improving quality and developing practice • Developing self and others.
Who developed the 4 pillars of advanced practice?In 2007, NHS Education for Scotland (NES) developed these four advanced practice pillars and defined the characteristics of each.
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