NRNP_6565_Week1 Pennsylvania Nursing Certification and Licensure

Pennsylvania is classified as a reduced practice state, which means that nurse practitioners are required to practice under a physician’s supervision through a collaboration agreement, specifying their joint practice (ANA, 2021). Under such a collaboration agreement, nurse practitioners have the authority to provide a wide range of healthcare services, including diagnosing medical conditions, developing and implementing treatment plans, ordering and performing diagnostic tests, and managing medications (Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, 2021). The agreement must also outline the availability of a physician. However, it’s worth noting that recent legislative efforts in Pennsylvania, such as Senate Bill 717, seek to change this practice. If passed, this bill would permit nurse practitioners to practice independently in the state after participating in a three-year collaboration agreement with a physician (Phillips, 2019). While the bill has garnered significant support, it has also faced resistance in the house and is still in the process of potentially becoming Pennsylvania law. Despite not having independent practice currently, nurse practitioners in Pennsylvania are recognized as primary care providers Pennsylvania Nursing Certification and Licensure.

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Wound Care Identification and Assessment

To become a certified nurse practitioner in Pennsylvania, several requirements must be met. This includes holding an RN license, successfully completing a master’s degree or post-master’s certificate nurse practitioner program, and obtaining national certification before applying for a Pennsylvania state license (Nursinglicensure.org, 2020). The application process can be completed online through the Pennsylvania licensing system (PALS) and is subject to approval by the state board of nursing. License renewal is required every two years, with a mandatory 30 continuing education hours (AANP, n.d.).

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In Pennsylvania, nurse practitioners have prescriptive authority, allowing them to prescribe drugs, devices, and Schedule II-V controlled substances (Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, 2021). The administration of buprenorphine-containing products by a nurse practitioner is permitted if both the nurse practitioner and collaborating physician are certified and trained accordingly (Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, 2021). The collaboration agreement between the physician and nurse practitioner must also outline prescriptive authority. To obtain a DEA number for controlled substances, one must apply online through the U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Agency, and renew it every three years.

There are multiple nurse practitioner organizations specific to Pennsylvania that support and advocate for the profession. These organizations work to promote practice through legislative and regulatory processes, provide continuing education, and advocate for the roles of nurse practitioners in today’s healthcare landscape (Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, 2021). Examples of such organizations include the Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners (PCNP), Nurse Practitioner Association of Southwestern Pennsylvania (NPASP), Nurse Practitioners of Central Pennsylvania (NPCP), and Nurse Practitioners of Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) Pennsylvania Nursing Certification and Licensure.

References:

AANP. (n.d.). Pennsylvania State Policy Fact Sheet. American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://www.aanp.org/advocacy/state/state-practice-environment/state-policy-fact-sheets/pennsylvania-state-policy-fact-sheet

AANP. (2021). State practice environment. American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://www.aanp.org/advocacy/state/state-practice-environment

U.S. Department of Justice- Diversion control division. (n.d.). General information. Registration Procedures. Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugreg/index.html

Nursinglicensure.org. (2020, November 4). Pennsylvania CRNP requirements – how to become a nurse practitioner in PA. NursingLicensure.org – A more efficient way to find nursing license requirements in your state. Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/pennsylvania-nurse-practitioner/

Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners. (2021). Scope of practice. Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://www.pacnp.org/page/ScopeofPractice

Phillips, J. (2019, June 13). PA senate bill to expand role of nurse practitioners – RCPA. RCPA. https://www.paproviders.org/pa-senate-bill-to-expand-role-of-nurse-practitioners/

Discussion: Certification and Licensure

Now that you are in your final course in your program, it is time to turn in earnest to preparing for certification and licensure. You will need to take and pass a national AGPCNP certification exam. Once certified, you will then be eligible to apply for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) in the state desired. It will be up to you to ensure you are knowledgeable about the practice agreements, scope of practice, and prescriptive authority in your state.

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Although there is a movement called the APRN Consensus Model to standardize NP regulations nationally, it is still the case that requirements vary state to state. In some states, NPs may establish independent practice without the supervision of an MD. Additionally, states are currently categorized as either allowing full practice, reduced practice, or restricted practice. Full practice states allow NPs to evaluate, order diagnostics, diagnose, and treat patients. They are licensed under the exclusive authority of the state board of nursing for the appropriate state. Many states may require prescriptive authority protocols in addition to collaborative agreement Pennsylvania Nursing Certification and Licensure.

Another important area to consider and plan for is prescriptive authority. Prescriptive authority is granted under state law by the appropriate board. The board granting prescriptive authority may be the medical board, state board of pharmacy, or nursing board for the appropriate state licensure being pursued. The authority to write for a controlled substance is granted at a federal level and is verified through the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) by the appropriate state board. Drug Enforcement Agency registration is granted at the federal level and has additional requirements/fees for the registration process.

Finally, the legal landscape for NPs is constantly changing as the status of NPs as providers improves on a national level. Legislative changes may occur annually, bi-annually, or during an emergency legislative meeting at the state or federal level. These legislative sessions and any subsequent changes will significantly impact your scope of practice as a nurse practitioner.

For this Discussion, you examine professional issues for your state, including certification and licensure, scope of practice, independent practice, prescriptive authority, and legislative activities.

To prepare:

Review practice agreements in your state.
Identify whether your state requires physician collaboration or supervision for nurse practitioners and, if so, what those requirements are.
Research the following:
How do you get certified and licensed in your state?
What is the application process for certification in your state?
What is the primary nurse licensure office resource website in your state?
How does your state define the scope of practice of a nurse practitioner?
What is included in your state’s practice agreement?
How do you get a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) license?
How does your state describe a nurse practitioner’s controlled-substance prescriptive authority and what nurse practitioner drug schedules are nurse practitioners authorized to prescribe?
In what legislative and advocacy activities are your state nurse practitioner organization (s) involved?

By Day 3

Post a summary of your findings on your state based on the questions listed above. Explain the types of regulations that exist and the barriers that may impact nurse practitioner independent practice in your state. Be specific. Also, describe what surprised you from your research.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.
By Day 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on 2 different days in one or more of the ways listed below.

Share an insight from having viewed your colleagues’ posts.
Suggest additional actions or perspectives.
Share insights after comparing state processes, roles, and limitations.
Suggest a way to advocate for the profession.
Share resources with those who are in your state.

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!

In the state of Pennsylvania, nurse practitioners are recognized as Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners (CRNPs) once licensed. CRNPs must have a master’s degree as well as have passed the certification exam. Once licensed, CRNPs must renew their license biannually (Pennsylvania Department of State, 2021) Pennsylvania Nursing Certification and Licensure.

References:

Buppert, C. (2021). Nurse practitioner’s business practice and legal guide (7th ed.). Jones & Bartlett.

Pennsylvania Department of State. (2021). Board of Nursing. Retrieved from https://www.dos.pa.gov

Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners. (2021). Scope of Practice Pennsylvania Nursing Certification and Licensure. Retrieved from https://www.pacnp.org
NRNP_6565_Week1_Discussion_Rubric

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NRNP_6565_Week1 Pennsylvania Nursing Certification and Licensure