PU APRN Certification and Regulatory Requirements Discussion Reply

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Required Steps for Certification through ANCC 

The ANCC mandates that the VOE (Verification of Education) form must be completed with support from the program’s faculty director, and only electronic PDFs are acceptable for submission. The delivery of transcripts is also a requirement, and it’s essential to submit official transcripts that do not necessarily need to include degree conferral, as submitting unofficial transcripts may result in a status of “authorized to test.” To simplify the application process, ANCC strongly recommends the submission of electronic transcripts. Additionally, testing must be conducted in person, as live remote proctoring is no longer available. Testing is carried out at a Prometric testing center, and individuals will be responsible for scheduling a suitable testing time based on their geographic location. Fees for the exam differ, with American Nurses Association Members paying $295, while non-members are required to pay $395 (ANCC, 2022).

NPI & DEA 

A National Provider Identifier (NPI) serves as a unique identifier through which the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services can recognize healthcare providers, healthcare clearinghouses, and health plans engaged in electronic transactions or direct billing for services. This identifier consists of 10 digits and remains permanent for each provider once assigned, regardless of changes in their job or location. Healthcare providers who do not engage in electronic transmission are not mandated to obtain an NPI, but they are not prohibited from doing so  (ANA, 2010; CMS, 2022).

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA, 2022) is responsible for granting licensing authority for controlled substances to mid-level practitioners based on their specific discipline and the state in which they practice. When authority is granted, it is imperative for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to adhere to the state-specific instructions for administering or dispensing these substances (DEA, 2022). For instance, in the state of Florida, APRNs are permitted to prescribe schedule 2, 2N, 3, 3N, 4, and 5 substances (DEA, 2022) under their existing supervisory protocols. Additionally, APRNs are required to complete three hours of continuing education every two years to maintain their prescribing privileges for these substances (Pommer, 2011).

Prescription Drug Monitoring in Florida 

A Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) functions as an “electronic database designed to monitor controlled substances within a state” (CDC, 2021, para. 1). In Florida, this program is known as E-FORCSE (Electronic Florida Online Reporting of Controlled Substances Evaluation Program), and it was established in 2009 with the primary goals of promoting safer prescribing practices for controlled substances and mitigating drug abuse. Healthcare practitioners are not mandated to access this database before prescribing controlled substances (Pommer, 2011). As suggested by Weissing (2019), granting Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) full practice authority in the State of Florida could potentially reduce the restrictions imposed on them when it comes to prescribing controlled substances.

ANCC Recertification 

ANCC certification renewal is mandatory every five years and involves adhering to specific requirements. These requisites encompass maintaining a current and active RN and APRN license, accumulating 75 contact hours (with a minimum of 25 hours in pharmacology), and fulfilling at least one of the eight professional development categories outlined by ANCC. These professional development categories encompass additional 75 contact hours, academic credits, presentations, engagement in evidence-based practice, research, or publication, preceptor hours (equivalent to 120 hours), participation in professional services (involving a minimum of 2 years of volunteer service) and accumulating at least 1,000 practice hours within the specialty. Furthermore, the ANCC also offers certification maintenance books that provide valuable resources and content beneficial for NP professionals (ANCC, 2022).

Reference: 

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Certification. (2022). Certification renewal requirements. Nursing World. https://www.nursingworld.org/~48fbb4/globalassets/certification/renewals/ancc-certrenewalrequirements.pdf

American Nurses Association (ANA). (2010). Ana issue brief – ana enterprise. Nursing World. https://www.nursingworld.org/~4af21e/globalassets/…

Centers for Disease Control (CDC). (2021). Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (pdmps). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/pdmp/index.html

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). (2022). NPI: What you need to know. https://www.cms.gov/outreach-and-education/medicar…

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) diversion control division. (2022). Mid-level practitioners’ authorization by state. https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugreg/practio…

Pommer, R. (2011). Access to prescription drug monitoring program. Florida Nurse Practitioner Network. https://fnpn.enpnetwork.com/nurse-practitioner-new…

Weissing, L. (2019). Barriers and Implications of Controlled Substance Prescribing for Florida APRNs (thesis). Florida State University, 1–49.