NRNP 6675 WK 1 Certification and Licensing Plan for South Carolina APRNs
Advanced nurse practitioners (APRNs) in South Carolina must adhere to the state’s nursing board regulations, which mandate the establishment of a collaborative practice agreement. This requirement is in line with regulations in many U.S. states, emphasizing the importance of APRNs working under the supervision of a physician (Bell et al., 2018).
In South Carolina, the practice agreement is a critical component of APRN practice. It necessitates collaboration with a physician who is “readily available for consultation.” This collaborating physician must reside within a forty-five-mile radius of the APRN’s practice location and can only collaborate with a maximum of three APRNs at a time (South Carolina Legislature, 2017).
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The practice agreement in South Carolina serves as the foundation for defining the standards of APRN practice. It encompasses various aspects, including prescribing medications, ensuring patient safety, establishing policies and procedures, and creating an on-call agreement with the collaborating physician. All these components must gain approval from the collaborating physician selected by the APRN (South Carolina Legislature, 2017).
To become a licensed APRN in South Carolina, individuals must follow a series of steps:
1. Obtain a Nursing License: Start by obtaining a nursing license as an RN in South Carolina.
2. Complete an Accredited APRN Program: Pursue an accredited APRN program aligned with the chosen specialty.
3. Pass Boards: Successfully pass the certification exam relevant to the APRN role and specialty.
4. Apply for APRN License by Endorsement: Submit an application for an APRN license by endorsement, including certifications, transcripts from the master’s program, and payment of required fees to the South Carolina Board of Nursing.
5. Declare a Specialty: Clearly declare the chosen specialty, which defines the scope of practice.
6. Apply for Prescriptive Authority: Apply for prescriptive authority within South Carolina, involving the completion of an online application and payment of additional fees. Notably, applicants must have a minimum of “twenty contact hours in pharmacotherapeutics within two years before application,” with 15 of these hours related to controlled substances (South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation [SCLLR], 2022).
After securing employment and completing the requisite contact hours for prescriptive authority, APRNs must also establish a practice agreement with a collaborating physician. Notably, prescriptive authority is granted before applying for a DEA license, which is optional. If desired, APRNs can apply for the “Controlled Substance Registry through SC DHEC” (SCLLR, 2022).
South Carolina utilizes prescription monitoring programs (PMPs) to track controlled substance prescribing and dispensing. These databases are crucial policy tools for curbing opioid addiction and overdose risk (Allen et al., 2022). South Carolina’s PMP, known as The South Carolina Reporting & Identification Prescription Tracking System (SCRIPTS), is administered by SCDHEC (U.S. Department of Justice, 2018).
South Carolina allows APRNs with prescriptive authority specifically for controlled substances to prescribe Schedule II through Schedule V medications. These prescriptions must be included in the practice agreement with the collaborating physician. However, certain stipulations are in place, such as limitations on the duration of prescriptions (no more than five days), and refills require the consent of the collaborating physician (South Carolina Legislature, 2017).
Considering the regulations surrounding collaborating physicians, it’s essential to recognize that the limitations on the number of APRNs a physician can supervise and the geographic range within which they must practice could impact the ease of finding a collaborating physician. This might prolong the process of obtaining prescriptive authority and securing employment.
A positive aspect of this journey is the accessibility of information about licensure in South Carolina. The South Carolina Board of Nursing’s website outlines all the necessary steps and requirements, which should facilitate the licensure process when the time comes (SCLLR, 2022).
In conclusion, aspiring APRNs in South Carolina should familiarize themselves with the state’s specific regulations and requirements for certification and licensure, understanding that collaboration with a physician and prescriptive authority are key aspects of their practice.
References
Allen, B., Jent, V. A., & Cerdá, M. (2022). Cycles of Chronic Opioid Therapy Following Mandatory Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Legislation: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 37(16), 4088–4094. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-022-07551-z
Bell, N., Hughes, R., & Fede, A. L.-D. (2018). Collaborative Practice Agreements and Their Geographic Impact on Where Nurse Practitioners Can Practice. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 9(3), 5–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2155-8256(18)30149-2
South Carolina Board of Nursing. SCLLR. (2022). https://llr.sc.gov/nurse/Online/APRNRX.aspx
South Carolina Legislature. Code of laws – Title 40 – Chapter 33 – Nurses. (2017). https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c033.php
U.S. Department of Justice. (2018). Prescription Drug Monitoring Program: South Carolina State Profile. Prescription Drug Monitoring Program: South Carolina State Profile | Office of Justice Programs. https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/prescription-drug-monitoring-program-south-carolina-state
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
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 as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in your state?
- What is the application process for certification in your state?
- What is your state’s board of nursing website?
- How does your state define the scope of practice of a nurse practitioner?
- What is included in your state practice agreement?
- How do you get a DEA license?
- Does your state have a prescription monitoring program (PMP)?
- 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?
By Day 3 of Week 1
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.
Certification and Licensing Plan for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)
As you embark on the final course of your program, the importance of preparing for certification and licensure cannot be overstated. Your journey will encompass taking and successfully passing the national PMHNP certification exam, a pivotal step that opens the door to applying for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) in your desired state. To navigate this process effectively, you must equip yourself with a deep understanding of practice agreements, the scope of practice, and prescriptive authority specific to your state.
While there is an ongoing effort through the APRN Consensus Model to standardize nurse practitioner (NP) regulations at the national level, it remains a fact that requirements continue to vary from state to state. Each state has its distinct set of rules and regulations governing APRNs, shaping the extent to which they can practice. In certain states, NPs have the autonomy to establish independent practices without the need for physician supervision. State regulations currently fall into categories: those permitting full practice, reduced practice, or restricted practice. Full practice states grant NPs the authority to evaluate, order diagnostics, diagnose, and treat patients, operating under the jurisdiction of the state board of nursing. It’s important to note that many states may impose prescriptive authority protocols in addition to collaborative agreements.
Another critical aspect that necessitates your attention and planning is prescriptive authority. The authority to prescribe medication is conferred by the relevant state board, which can be the medical board, state board of pharmacy, or nursing board, as dictated by state law. It is essential to understand that prescriptive authority includes the privilege to prescribe controlled substances. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) oversees and verifies this authority through the respective state board. Acquiring DEA registration is a federal-level process and may involve additional requirements and associated fees.
In the forthcoming discussion, your task is to locate and examine the practice agreements specific to the state in which you intend to practice. This research will enable you to identify any potential collaboration requirements set by your state. Furthermore, you will gain insight into the intricate certification and licensing process that you must navigate to attain your APRN goals.
The journey towards becoming a certified and licensed APRN is a multifaceted one, with each state offering its unique path. By delving into the state-specific regulations, you are taking a proactive step in preparing for your certification and licensure. Understanding the nuances of practice agreements, scope of practice, and prescriptive authority will be pivotal in your journey to becoming a competent and licensed APRN in your chosen state.
Certification and Licensing Journey in the State of Tennessee (TN)
As I recently made the transition from Florida to Tennessee, it has become imperative for me to delve into the intricacies of the certification and licensure process in my new state of residence. Tennessee, as it stands, follows a model of Restricted practice for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), which necessitates the possession of a “certificate of fitness.” This certificate, a hallmark of APRN practice in TN, mandates that APRNs must collaborate with a supervising physician. The supervising physician must meet several key criteria: holding a current and valid Tennessee license, specializing in the same field as the APRN, being readily available for consultation, and having a designated substitute physician on standby. Moreover, the supervising physician plays an active role in the ongoing patient care process. This entails personally reviewing medical data and providing their signature on patient records within 30 days, regularly reviewing at least 20% of patient charts every month, and conducting on-site visits to the APRN’s clinical practice every 30 days.
To embark on the journey of becoming a certified and licensed APRN in Tennessee, an aspiring nurse must adhere to a comprehensive set of requirements and processes. These include:
1. Possession of a Valid RN License: A fundamental prerequisite is the possession of a valid and unrestricted registered nurse (RN) license.
2. Completion of Advanced Education: Pursuit of a master’s degree or higher in a specialized nursing field is an essential step in the journey to becoming an APRN.
3. National Certification: Obtaining national certification relevant to the APRN role is a crucial milestone. Verification of this certification must be requested from the certifying body, such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), which sends this verification to [email protected].
4. Holding a Tennessee or Multi-State RN License: As an aspiring APRN in Tennessee, it is mandatory to possess a Tennessee RN license or a multi-state RN license.
5. Submission of Official Transcripts: Requesting an official electronic transcript that confirms the conferred advanced nursing degree is a vital step. This transcript should be sent to [email protected].
6. Online Application: The application process is carried out online, and it entails uploading both the RN license and proof of citizenship documents in PDF format.
7. Completion of Practitioner Profile Questionnaire: A mandatory component of the application is the completion of the practitioner profile questionnaire.
The application review process is a crucial juncture, with the entire process taking up to six weeks for completion. For further details and updates, the Tennessee State Board of Nursing website, accessible at [Tennessee Board of Nursing]( https://www.tn.gov/health/health-professionals/hcf-main/licensure/licensure-applications.html ), serves as an invaluable resource.
In the realm of APRN practice in Tennessee, the scope of practice is intricately tied to the presence of a physician relationship. A collaborative and written protocol is jointly developed between the supervising physician and the APRN, with periodic reviews and updates occurring biennially. Importantly, nurse practitioners (NPs) in Tennessee can prescribe Schedules II through V controlled substances, a privilege contingent upon the acquisition of a certificate of fitness from the Tennessee Board of Nursing (TN BON) and the establishment of physician supervision. It is noteworthy that the prescribing of these medications necessitates consultation with the supervising physician.
Additionally, Tennessee boasts a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, a vital tool in tracking and managing dispensed records of controlled substances. This program automatically submits records to the state, facilitating the identification of potential warnings and errors for correction and resubmission.
For those seeking to obtain a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) license, this can be accomplished online through the U.S. Department of Justice website. For those who prefer a physical copy of the order form, it can be obtained by reaching out to the DEA headquarters or a DEA registration field office. This form is typically mailed within ten working days. The process requires the submission of a completed requisition of DEA Form 222A.
In conclusion, while transitioning from Florida to Tennessee may present variations in APRN practice regulations, it is imperative that we, as prospective psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs), adhere to the state’s rules and regulations. In this dynamic journey towards becoming a licensed APRN in Tennessee, we uphold the ethical responsibility to abide by the state’s unique standards and practices.
By Day 6 of Week 1
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 Reply button to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Post Reply, you cannot delete or edit your own posts and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Post Reply!
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