Professional Issues Flashcards
What is certification?
attests to the education, skills, and training of an APN via standardized exams
Who certifies APNs?
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
What are the requirements to be certified?
completion of an accredited advanced degree program and application for testing
What is licensure?
provision of a license to practice as an APN, as defined by State statutes or regulations
Who provides licensure for APNs?
State Board of Nursing
What are the requirements for licensure?
current RN license in the state and passage of certification exam (ANCC or AANP)
What is credentialing?
obtaining the authorization by a hospital’s governing board to provide specific patient care and treatment services within defined limits
Who credentials APNs?
hospital’s highest governing body (e.g., Board of Directors) - but may be delegated (e.g., health insurance providers)
What are the key elements of credentialing?
individual’s license, education, training, experience, competence, health status, and judgment; must be reassessed every 2 years (static information reviewed only one, dynamic information verified at review or reappointment); based on peer review
What are privileges?
authorization of a credentialed individual to perform or order specific diagnostic or therapeutic services within a hospital
Who grants privileges?
hospital’s highest governing body (e.g., Board of Directors) - but may be delegated
What are the key elements of privileges?
license and credentials to practice; reassessed every 2 years; based on peer review; 4 methods for focused review: (1) direct observation, (2) chart review, (3) monitoring of diagnostics and treatment patterns, and (4) discussion with other members of treatment team
What is scope of practice?
defines the functions that an APN can perform
Who authorizes scope of practice?
State statutes or regulations
What are the key elements of scope of practice?
professional association versus State statutes/regulations; diagnosis, treatment, prescription, hospital admission, laceration repair, teaching, ordering diagnostic tests, physician involvement
What are standards of practice?
requirement to ensure the highest quality of care is provided by APNs
Who authorizes standards of practice?
professional societies (e.g., American Association of Nurse Practitioners)
What are the key elements of standards of practice?
conformance with regulatory requirements; participation in management activities; performance of functions within full scope of practice; maintenance of health and medical records for patients; participation in quality assurance; maintenance of high standards of professionalism; competitive salaries; use of the scientific process and national standards in managing patient care; serving as patient advocate; maintenance of competence
What is prescriptive authority?
ability of APNs to independently prescribe medications and controlled drugs, devices, adjunct health/medical services, durable medical goods, and other equipment and supplies - does not require collaboration with a physician
Who establishes prescriptive authority?
State statutes or regulations - State Board of Nursing grants authorization
What factors are considered in establishing prescriptive authority (i.e., sources of variation across states)?
in some states, prescriptive authority is granted at the time of APN licensure - in others, the APN must apply separately for these privileges; how much and what type of advanced pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics education is required; whether and how much supervision of prescribing practice must take place before independent prescriptive authority is granted; whether all, or only some, APN roles can be granted prescriptive authority; restrictions on prescribing controlled substances or the schedules of controlled drugs included; requirements for collaboration with a physician
What are the requirements for prescriptive authority in New Jersey?
completion of a graduate-level pharmacology course/CE; complete 6 contact hours in controlled substances pharmacology, prescribing, and addiction; authority to prescribe controlled substances requires CDS registration; prescription of controlled drugs requires use of universal New Jersey prescription blanks; all prescribers must access the PDMP when prescribing controlled substances to a patient for the first time and quarterly thereafter; joint protocol/standing orders
