30 Dec Pennsylvania nursing Certification and Licensure

Pennsylvania is considered a reduced practice state, which means that a nurse practitioner must practice under a physician with a collaboration agreement outlining their joint practice (ANA,2021). Under a collaboration agreement, a nurse practitioner can deliver many health care services such as diagnose medical conditions, develop and implement treatment plans, order and perform diagnostic tests, and order and manage medications (Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, 2021). Physician availability must be also outlined in the agreement. However, recently the PA senate passed bill 717 trying to change current practice. The proposed bill would allow nurse practitioner?s the ability to practice independently in the state after participating in at least a 3-year collaboration agreement with a physician (Phillips, 2019). This bill has a lot of support but has also met resistance by the house and is still in process of potentially becoming Pennsylvania law. Although nurse practitioners cannot practice independently currently, they are recognized in the state as primary care providers. A nurse practitioner in Pennsylvania must have an RN license, successfully complete a master?s degree or post master?s certificate nurse practitioner program, and obtain national certification before applying for a Pennsylvania state license (Nursinglicensure.org, 2020). Application can be completed online with the Pennsylvania licensing system (PALS) and is approved by the state board of nursing. License renewal is every two years with a 30 continuing education hours requirement (AANP, n.d.). A nurse practitioner in Pennsylvania can prescribe drugs, devices and Schedule II-V controlled substances (Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, 2021). Buprenorphine-containing products can be administered by a nurse practitioner if both the nurse practitioner and collaborating physician are certified and trained accordingly (Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, 2021). Prescriptive authority must also be outlined in the collaboration agreement between the physician and nurse practitioner. To obtain a DEA number, one must apply online through the U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement agency. Once issued, it will need renewed every three years. There are multiple nurse practitioner organizations specific to Pennsylvania. Some are location specific within the state but share similar goals and mission statements. These organizations are there to support and promote practice through legislative and regulatory processes, provide continuing education, and advocate the roles of nurse practitioners in today?s health care (Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, 2021). ?The Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners (PCNP), Nurse Practitioner Assoc of Southwestern Pennsylvania (NPASP), Nurse Practitioners of Central Pennsylvania (NPCP), and Nurse Practitioners of Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) are just some examples of the organizations available to Pennsylvania nurse practitioners. 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. Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto