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

2. “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

3. “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.

4. “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.”

5. 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

7. 1. 1.What do the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation and the AACN-Colleges DNP Initiative have in common? 2. 2.What are the components of a certification examination which ensure regulatory sufficiency? 3. 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. 4.When will the Boards of Nursing begin to require the DNP certification exam?

8. Key Regulatory Issues in Advanced Practice http://journals.lww.com/aacnadvancedcriticalcare/Fulltext/2011/01000/APRN_Regula tion__The_Licensure_Certification.8.aspx

9. Who and How to Regulate? MedicineNursing

10. MedicineNursing Who and How to Regulate?

11. Registered Nurse Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Who and How to Regulate?

12. Primary Care APRN Acute Care APRN Who and How to Regulate?

13. NeonatalPediatric Adult Gero Who and How to Regulate?

14. 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

15. Reaching Consensus Key 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?

16. APRN Licensure How did we get here anyway?

17. 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.

18. 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

19. History of the Model The 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

20. History of the Model The 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.

21. History of the Model Parallel 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.

22. Boards of Nursing Endorse Consensus Model through Model Documents https://www.ncsbn.org/Article_XVIII_1.31.11.pdf

23. 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.

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

30. APRN Regulatory Model Nurse Anesthetist Nurse Midwife Nurse Practitioner + Adult- Gerontology Women’s Health/ Gender Related Family/Individual Across lifespan NeonatalPediatrics Psych/Mental Health Licensure occurs at Levels of Role & Population Foci POPULATION FOCI APRN ROLES APRN Specialties Focus 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.

32. +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.

33. +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.

34. +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.

35. 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.

36. …just a few words about the clinical nurse specialist role for those with blended and/or post- graduate programs…

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

39. New CNS Resource Docs

40. 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

41. 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

42. 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

43. 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

44. 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

45. 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

46. 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

47. 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

48. 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

49. 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

50. 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

51. 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 )

52. 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

53. 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

54. 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

55. 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

56. 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.

57. 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

58. 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).

59. 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.

60. Regulatory Sufficiency For a licensure or certification examination to meet the standards for regulatory sufficiency, it must meet the following criteria: 1. 1.be targeted to entry level practice; 2. 2.measure only job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities; 3. 3.require demonstration of competence at the minimum level necessary for safe and effective practice; and 4. 4.be psychometrically sound

61. 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

62. 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.

63. Current ACNP Standards and Competencies

64. Adult-Gerontology ACNP Competencies

65. NONPF Publications

67. Moving Forward – How Do I Get From Here to There? Adult ACNP Adult-Gero ACNP

68. 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.

69. 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.

70. NTF Criteria Appendix F

71. 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.pdfhttp://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.

73. 1. 1.What do the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation and the AACN-Colleges DNP Initiative have in common? 2. 2.What are the components of a certification examination which ensure regulatory sufficiency? 3. 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. 4.When will the Boards of Nursing begin to require the DNP certification exam?

74. 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 certcorp@aacn.orgcertcorp@aacn.org

75. Audience Questions

76. 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. NONPF Criteria for Evaluation of NP Programs

77. Questions from Webinar - 2 Q: What would I need to do to become e ligible 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.

78. 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/APRNresourceswww.aacn.org/APRNresources > NP Educational Program Resources.