the consensus model for aprn regulation licensure, accreditation, certification, education

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The Consensus Model for APRN Regulation Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, Education Presented By: Carol Hartigan, MA, BSN, RN Certification Programs Strategist

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The Consensus Model for APRN Regulation Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, Education Presented By: Carol Hartigan, MA, BSN, RN Certification Programs Strategist. “AACN East & West”. AACN – Critical-Care Founded in 1969 as American Association of Cardiovascular Nurses - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

The Consensus Model for APRN Regulation Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, Education

Presented By:Carol Hartigan, MA, BSN, RNCertification Programs Strategist

Page 2: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

“AACN East & West”

AACN – Critical-Care• Founded in 1969 as American

Association of Cardiovascular Nurses

• Name changed in 1971 to American Association of Critical-Care Nurses to reflect the interests of all nurses who care for critically ill patients, regardless of diagnosis or setting.

• AACN Certification Corporation founded in 1975 to provide comprehensive credentialing for acute and critical care nurses.

AACN – Colleges• Founded in 1969 as American

Association of Colleges of Nursing

• In 1986, led development of

the Essentials of College and University Education for Professional Nursing (Baccalaureate Essentials)

• In 1996, led development of Essentials of Master’s Education for Advanced Practice Education

Page 3: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

“AACN East & West”AACN – Critical-Care

• Partnered with American Nurses Credentialing Center to launch new Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certification program; partnership continued through 2001

• Launched certification program for Adult, Pediatric and Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialists in Acute and Critical Care in 1999.

• Re-launched Adult ACNP

program in 2010

AACN – Colleges• Established Commission on

Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) to provide accreditation for baccalaureate and higher degree programs in 1996

• Released position statement on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing in October 2004

• Commission on Nursing Certification established and certification program for Clinical Nurse Leader launched in 2007.

Page 4: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

“Heard” on social media…• “By 2015, all Nurse Practitioners will need to have their DNP in order

to keep practicing.”

• “The current NP certifications are now worthless; I should have

become a PA so I could work in whatever field I choose to.”

• “It would be nice for a bridge curriculum to be developed that would

allow a transition from the ACNP certification to the Consensus Model

equivalent as the transition occurs.”

• “The Consensus Model regulations are aimed more at making money

for the Universities by requiring more education than benefiting

patient care which is the ultimate goal.”

Page 5: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Webinar Objectives

• Identify how the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation will change the practice of CNSs or NPs

• Discuss nursing program curricula changes needed to be ready for the new regulatory model by the 2015 deadline

• Consider opportunities to positively influence implementation of the model in your educational program

Page 6: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education
Page 7: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

1. What do the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation and the AACN-Colleges DNP Initiative have in common?

2. What are the components of a certification examination which ensure regulatory sufficiency?

3. What steps would a currently-certified Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner take to become nationally certified as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner?

4. When will the Boards of Nursing begin to require the DNP certification exam?

Page 8: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Key Regulatory Issues in Advanced Practice

http://journals.lww.com/aacnadvancedcriticalcare/Fulltext/2011/01000/APRN_Regulation__The_Licensure_Certification.8.aspx

Page 9: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Who and How to Regulate?

Page 10: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Who and How to Regulate?

Page 11: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Who and How to Regulate?

Page 12: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Who and How to Regulate?

Page 13: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Who and How to Regulate?

Page 14: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Regulatory Concerns

• Inconsistency across APRN educational programs

• Lack of knowledge of/control over APRN certification examination programs

• “Proliferation of subspecialties”

• Practice beyond or outside of scope as determined by education and certification

• Inconsistent enforcement of certification eligibility requirements

Page 15: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Reaching ConsensusKey Issues Identified

• Who is an APRN? What characterizes APRN practice?

• Primary care vs. Acute care – what are the differences and what is the overlap?

• What are the similarities and what are the differences among the four roles related to educational preparation, scope of practice, educational accreditation and regulation?

• How does the age of the patient fit into the population-focused model?

• Where does “specialty” preparation fit in the model?

• What is the best model for the future needs of patients and families?

Page 16: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

APRN LicensureHow did we get here anyway?

Page 17: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

NCSBN Historical Position Statements and Activities

1986 – NCSBN adopts a position paper on Advanced Clinical Nursing Practice • Determines that the educational requirement should be a minimum of a

Master’s degree and• The preferred method of regulation of advanced nursing is designation/

recognition

1993 - NCSBN adopts Model Legislative Language and Model Administrative Rules for Advanced Nursing Practice and the position paper on the regulation of advanced nursing practice

• Moves the recommended method of regulation of advanced nursing from designation/recognition to licensure. This change was made due to the fact that the activities of the practitioners are complex, require specialized knowledge and skill, and independent decision making. There is an established scope of practice and prequalification for safe practice must be determined by licensing boards. Because of potential harm to the public, licensure affords the ability to discipline practitioners

• Directs the Board of Directors continue collaboration with the American Nurses Association, American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, American College of Nurse-Midwives and other nursing organizations, including nurse certifying bodies.

Page 18: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

NCSBN Historical Position Statements and Activities

1994 - NCSBN performs a study to identify core competencies of nurse practitioners and a study exploring the regulatory, fiscal and political implications of developing a core competency examination for nurse practitioners.

1995 – NCSBN collaborates with NP certification organizations to move toward legally defensible examinations and processes and third-party accreditation.

2000 – NCSBN collaborates with APRN stakeholders to develop Uniform Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Licensure/Authority to Practice Requirements, which serve as the foundation for the APRN Compact

2002 – NCSBN Board of Directors approves the Advanced Practice Advisory Committee’s Position Paper on the Regulation of Advanced Practice and the Requirements for Accrediting Agencies and the Criteria for Certification Programs which delineates required elements of certification programs that would result in a legally defensible examination suitable for the regulation of APRNs

Page 19: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

History of the ModelThe Alliance for APRN Regulation

• Established in 1997 by AACN-Colleges and CCNE as The Alliance for Nursing Accreditation

• Goal to establish a framework and mechanism to foster collaboration among the regulatory bodies that oversee or review baccalaureate and graduate education

• Original membership included:• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program• American Association of Colleges of Nursing• American College of Nurse-Midwives Division of Accreditation• American Nurses Credentialing Center• Association of Faculties of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education• Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs• National Certification Corporation• National Council of State Boards of Nursing• National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties• National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health, Council on Accreditation• National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners & Nurses (Pediatric Nursing

Certification Board)

• Added AACN Certification Corporation to membership in February 2002 and National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists in October 2003

Page 20: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

History of the ModelThe Alliance for APRN Regulation

• In March 2004, AACN-Colleges and NONPF submitted a proposal to the Alliance to establish a process to develop a consensus statement on the credentialing of advanced practice nurses (APNs)

• Thirty-two organizations participated in the APN Consensus Conference in June 2004 to initiate an in-depth examination of issues related to APN definition, specialization, sub-specialization, and regulation, which includes accreditation, education, certification and licensure.

• A smaller work group made up of designees from twenty-three organizations with broad representation of APN certification, licensure, education, accreditation, and practice was charged with development of a statement that addressed the issues, delineated during the APN Consensus Conference with the goal of envisioning a future model for APNs.

Page 21: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

History of the ModelParallel Processes

• The Alliance APN Consensus Work Group convened for sixteen days of intensive discussion between October 2004 and July 2007 to develop a working model.

• In a parallel process, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) APRN Advisory Panel had been drafting an APRN Vision Paper to provide direction to boards of nursing regarding APRN regulation for the next 8-10 years by identifying an ideal future APRN regulatory model.

• The NCSBN Board of Directors disseminated the draft Vision Paper to Boards of Nursing and APRN stakeholders in April 2006 for feedback.

• A Joint Dialogue Group consisting of representatives from the APRN Consensus Work Group and the NCSBN APRN Advisory Panel convened to craft one, consensus-based APRN regulatory document which would be future-oriented and promote patient safety and public protection.

• Report of the Joint Dialogue Group was agreed to by both stakeholder groups and released on July 7, 2008.

Page 22: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Boards of Nursing Endorse Consensus Model through

Model Documents

https://www.ncsbn.org/Article_XVIII_1.31.11.pdf

Page 23: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

NCSBN Model Nurse Practice Act

APRN Scope of Nursing Practice

• APRNs are expected to practice as licensed independent practitioners within standards established and/or recognized by the BON. Each APRN is accountable to patients, the nursing profession and the BON for complying with the requirements of this 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.

Page 24: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

APRNs are accountable for:

• Health promotion

• Assessment, diagnosis, and management of patient problems

• Which includes the use and prescription of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions

Page 25: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

• An APRN is an individual who has:

• Completed an accredited graduate-level educational program

• Passed a national certification examination that matches the educational preparation

• Acquired advanced clinical skills and knowledge

Page 26: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

An APRN is an individual who has:

• Practice built upon the competencies of a RN

• Clinical experience of sufficient depth and breadth to reflect the intended license

• Obtained a license to practice as an APRN in one of the four roles

Page 27: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

• Advanced clinical knowledge and skills to provide direct care to patients is a defining component of practice

• All APRNs have a significant component of education and practice focusing on direct care of individuals

Page 28: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education
Page 29: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education
Page 30: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

APRN Regulatory Model

NurseAnesthetist

NurseMidwife

Nurse Practitioner +

Adult-Gerontology

Women’s Health/Gender Related

Family/IndividualAcross lifespan Neonatal Pediatrics

Psych/Mental Health

Lic

en

su

re o

ccu

rs a

t Levels

of

Role

&

Pop

ula

tion

Foci POPULATION FOCI

APRN ROLES

APRN SpecialtiesFocus of Practice beyond role and population focus

Linked to health care needs Examples include but are not limited to: Oncology, Older Adults,

Orthopedics, Nephrology, Palliative care

Clinical Nurse Specialist ++

+The certified nurse practitioner (CNP) is prepared with the acute care CNP competencies and/or the primary care CNP competencies. At this point in time the acute care and primary care CNP delineation applies only to the pediatric and adult-gerontology CNP population foci. Scope of practice of the primary care or acute care CNP is not setting specific but is based on patient care needs. Program may prepare individuals across both the primary care and acute care CNP competencies. If programs prepare graduates across both sets of roles, the graduate must be prepared with the consensus-based competencies for both roles and must successfully obtain certification in both the acute and the primary care CNP roles. CNP certification in the acute care or primary care roles must match the educational preparation for CNP’s in these roles.++The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is educated and assessed through national certification processes across the continuum from wellness through acute care.

Page 31: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education
Page 32: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

+Nurse Practitioner

• The certified nurse practitioner (CNP) is prepared with the acute care CNP competencies and/or the primary care CNP competencies.

• At this point in time the acute care and primary care CNP delineation applies only to the pediatric and adult-gerontology CNP population foci.

Page 33: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

+Nurse Practitioner

• Scope of practice of the primary care or acute care CNP is not setting specific but is based on patient care needs.

• Programs may prepare individuals across both the primary care and acute care CNP competencies.

Page 34: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

+Nurse Practitioner

• If programs prepare graduates across both sets of roles, the graduate must be prepared with the consensus-based competencies for both roles and must successfully obtain certification in both the acute and the primary care CNP roles. CNP certification in the acute care or primary care roles must match the educational preparation for CNPs in these roles.

Page 35: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

It’s a Whole New Ballgame

• Certification examinations become “high stakes” exams with accompanying legal vulnerabilities.

• Certifiers enter into agreements with individual Boards of Nursing as Boards “delegate state authority” for assuring educational eligibility.

Page 36: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

…just a few words about the clinical nurse specialist role

for those with blended and/or post-graduate

programs…

Page 37: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education
Page 38: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

+ The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is educated and assessed through national certification processes across the continuum from wellness through acute care.

Page 39: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

New CNS Resource Docs

Page 40: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

For entry into APRN practice and for regulatory purpose the APRN education must:

• Be a formal accredited graduate or post-graduate certificate program in an academic institution. The program must be comprehensive and on the graduate level

• Be awarded pre-approval, pre-accreditation or accreditation status prior to admitting students

• Prepare graduates in one of four roles and in at least one of the population foci

Page 41: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

For entry into APRN practice and for regulatory purpose the APRN education must:• Include at least three separate

comprehensive graduate level courses in the APRN core• Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology• Advanced Health Assessment• Advanced Pharmacology

Page 42: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

For entry into APRN practice and for regulatory purpose the APRN education must:• Provide basic understanding of decision-making

principles

• Ensure clinical and didactic coursework is comprehensive to prepare the graduate to practice in the APRN role and population foci

Page 43: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

• More focused area of practice than role and population foci

• Specialty preparation cannot replace educational preparation in the role or one of the six population foci

• Specialty preparation cannot expand one’s scope of practice beyond the role and population focus

Page 44: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

• Addresses a subset of the population-focus– Definition built on ANA (2004) Criteria for

Recognition as a Nursing Specialty

• The title may not be used in lieu of the licensing title, which includes the role and population

• Is developed, recognized and monitored by the profession

Page 45: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

APRN regulation includes:– Licensure

• The granting of authority to practice

– Accreditation• Formal review and approval by a recognized agency

of educational degree or certification programs in nursing or nursing related programs

– Certification• The formal recognition of knowledge, skills and

experience demonstrated by the achievement of standards identified by the profession

– Education• The formal preparation of APRNs in graduate or post-

graduate programs

Page 46: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Boards of Nursing will:

• License APRNs in one of four roles with a population focus

• Be solely responsible for licensing (exception for states where boards of midwifery regulate nurse-midwives and midwives)

• Only license graduates of accredited graduate programs

Page 47: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Boards of Nursing will:

• Require successful completion of a national certification examination that assesses APRN core, role and population competencies

• Only license an APRN when education and certification are congruent

• Not issue a temporary license

• License APRNs as independent practitioners with no regulatory requirements for collaboration, direction or supervision

Page 48: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Boards of Nursing will:

• Have at least one APRN representative position on the board and utilize an APRN advisory committee that includes representatives of all four APRN roles

• Institute a grandfathering clause that will exempt those APRNs already practicing in the state from new eligibility requirements

• Have the option for mutual recognition of advanced practice nursing through the APRN Compact

Page 49: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Accreditors will:• Evaluate APRN graduate degree and post-graduate

certification programs

• Through their established accreditation standards and process, assess APRN education programs in light of the APRN core, role core and population core competencies

Page 50: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Accreditors will:• 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

• Include an APRN in the visiting team when reviewing an APRN program

• Monitor the APRN education programs throughout the accreditation period

Page 51: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Foundational Requirements for Certification

Certification programs providing APRN Certification used for licensure will:

• Follow established certification testing and psychometrically sound, legally defensible standards for APRN examinations for licensure

• Assess the APRN core and role competencies across at least one population focus of practice

• Assess specialty competencies separately from the APRN core, role and population focused competencies (example: Adult-Gerontology NP and Oncology NP will take two separate certification examinations)

Page 52: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Foundational Requirements for Certification

Certification programs providing APRN Certification used for licensure will:

• Be accredited by a national certification accreditation body (ABNS or NCCA; role of NCSBN APRN Committee)

• Enforce congruence between the education program and the type of certification examination - exam name matches transcript

Page 53: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Key Elements - Certification

Educational eligibility requirements met:• 3 Ps

• Required number of didactic courses in population focus

• Sufficient supervised clinical hours in population focus

• Educational program prepared graduate to be eligible to sit for the nationally recognized certification that corresponds to the APRN role and population focus for which the student was prepared in the program.

• Degree awarded on transcript matches examination name

Page 54: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

APRN educational programs/tracks leading to eligibility for a APRN license will:

• Follow established educational standards and ensure attainment of the APRN core, role core and population core competencies

• Be accredited by a nursing accrediting organization that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation

Page 55: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

APRN educational programs/tracks leading to eligibility for a APRN license will:

• Be pre-approved, pre-accredited, or accredited prior to the acceptance of students, including all developing APRN education programs and tracks

• Ensure that graduates of the program are eligible for national certification and state licensure

• Ensure that official documentation (e.g. transcripts) specifies the role and population focus of the graduate

Page 56: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

RN Licensure Model

• Initial licensure is based on a combination of individual jurisdictional requirements (criminal background, good moral character, etc.), prescribed educational qualifications and successful completion of national examination.

• Depending on statutory authority, Board of Nursing may or may not perform individual “approval” of pre-licensure educational programs. Five individual state boards of nursing are separately recognized as accrediting agencies by the U.S. Department of Education.

• Some jurisdictions consider approval of educational programs an accountability that may not be delegated to another entity; not all Boards of Nursing have statutory oversight of APRN educational programs, and not all APRN programs are located within schools of nursing.

Page 57: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

RN Licensure Model

• All US Boards of Nursing utilize the NCLEX-RN examination.

• Boards are afforded the option to periodically review NCLEX-RN exam “forms” for compliance with their state practice acts.

• Board members and staff may participate as volunteers on NCSBN examination committees and Boards nominate NCLEX item writers and exam development committee members, so in this way are active participants and stakeholders in their licensure exams. Changes to the passing standard must be approved by the NCSBN Board of Directors.

• Changes in exam fees, test plans and eligibility requirements are determined by the NCSBN Delegate Assembly

Page 58: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

It’s a Whole New Ballgame

• Certification examinations become “high stakes” exams with accompanying legal vulnerabilities.

• Certifiers enter into agreements with individual Boards of Nursing as Boards “delegate state authority” for assuring educational eligibility.

• Graduate faculty are now accountable for preparing students for professional licensure examinations where in many instances this had not previously been the case (mostly CNS programs and other APRN types in states where national certification is not required for practice).

Page 59: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

It’s a Whole New Ballgame

• Career mobility, tele-health initiatives, interstate ACOs, delayed retirement and consulting opportunities increase the likelihood that APRNs may need to qualify for licensure in other jurisdictions throughout the course of their careers, making it essential that all educational eligibility requirements are met, fully documented, and that documentation is retained for future use.

• Educational eligibility requirements vary from vague to extremely detailed, depending on the jurisdiction; graduates must be qualified for licensure in any state, not just the state in which they are educated.

Page 60: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Regulatory Sufficiency

For a licensure or certification examination to meet the standards for regulatory sufficiency, it must meet the following criteria:

1.be targeted to entry level practice;2.measure only job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities;3.require demonstration of competence at the minimum level necessary for safe and effective practice; and 4.be psychometrically sound

Page 61: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Get with the Guidelines

• AACN Master’s or Doctoral Essentials

• NCSBN Criteria for APRN Certification Programs

• AACN Scope & Standards of Practice for the ACNP

• NONPF Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Competencies

• NONPF Core NP Competencies

• NTF Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs

• State Nurse Practice Act and Administrative Rules

• AACN Certification Corporation and/or the American Nurses Credentialing Center Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Job Analysis and Test Plan

Page 62: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Scope & Standards - 1995

• The ACNP practices in any setting in which patient care requirements include complex monitoring and therapies, high-intensity nursing intervention, or continuous nursing vigilance within the range of high-acuity care.

• Advanced acute care practitioners are optimally suited for managing the core complex, uncertain, and resource-limited situations characteristic of high-acuity settings.

Page 63: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Current ACNP Standards and Competencies

Page 64: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Adult-Gerontology ACNP Competencies

Page 65: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

NONPF Publications

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Page 67: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Moving Forward – How Do I Get From Here to There?

Page 68: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

What Do I Have to Take?

III.F Post-master’s students must successfully complete graduate didactic and clinical requirements of a master’s NP program through a formal graduate level certificate or master’s level NP program in the desired area of practice. Post-master’s students are expected to master the same outcome criteria as master’s NP students. Post-master’s students who are not already NPs are required to complete a minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours.

Page 69: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

What Do I Have to Take?

• Special consideration should be given to NPs expanding into another NP population-focused area of practice by allowing them to challenge selected courses and experiences; however, didactic and clinical experiences shall be sufficient to allow the student to master the competencies of the new area of NP practice.

• These students must complete a sufficient number of clinical hours to establish competency in the new population-focused area of practice.

• Programs should be able to document waivers and exceptions for individual students through a gap analysis..

Page 70: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

NTF Criteria Appendix F

Page 71: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

New Exam Timeline AACN Certification Corporation

• Adult-Gerontology ACNP Job Analysis completed and Test Plan posted at http://www.aacn.org/WD/Certifications/Docs/SOP-Summary-Test-Plan-ACNPC-AG.pdf

• Pilot testing of Adult-Gerontology ACNP exam with selected

groups of senior students begins in November 2012.

• New exam release scheduled for February 2013 with instant scoring.

• Current Adult ACNP exam will be administered through December 31, 2014. Current Adult ACNP credential will be maintained as long as there are current certificants in practice who require it.

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Page 73: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

1. What do the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation and the AACN-Colleges DNP Initiative have in common?

2. What are the components of a certification examination which ensure regulatory sufficiency?

3. What steps would a currently-certified Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner take to become nationally certified as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner?

4. When will the Boards of Nursing begin to require the DNP certification exam?

Page 74: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Contact Us

Please let us know if you would like more information, have suggestions for us, or would like to get involved as we “relentlessly communicate” details and updates about the implementation of the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation.

AACN Certification Corporation(800) 899-2226 or [email protected]

Page 75: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Audience Questions

Page 76: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Questions from Webinar - 1

Q: How do current ACNP faculty become qualified to teach Adult-Gero ACNP content?

A: Current ACNP faculty are not required to obtain the new credential in order to continue to teach in an Adult-Gero ACNP program. This was discussed extensively by the Task Force when the NONPF Criteria for Evaluation of NP Programs were recently revised. 

Page 77: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Questions from Webinar - 2Q: What would I need to do to become eligible to sit for the new Adult-Gero ACNP (ACNPC-AG) exam?

A: To qualify for the new exam you would submit your transcript to an Adult-Gero ACNP program and have it evaluated for needed didactic and clinical courses to meet the same requirements program graduates are required to meet - a gap analysis - and a learning plan would be developed for you. 

This would be documented on a form such as found in Appendix F of the NTF Criteria document. Once you had met those requirements, the program would award you a post-graduate certificate on transcript. You would then apply for, take and pass the exam.

Page 78: The Consensus Model for  APRN Regulation  Licensure, Accreditation,  Certification, Education

Questions from Webinar - 3

Q: Where can I obtain a copy of the Job Analysis and Test Plan for the new Adult-Gero Acute Care NP exam launching in February 2013?

A: The ACNPC-AG Study of Practice Summary and Test Plan can be found at:www.aacn.org/APRNresources > NP Educational Program Resources.