This document discusses several key legal issues related to nursing practice including accreditation, licensure, nurse practice acts, certification, prescriptive authority, and negotiating contracts. It defines accreditation as a voluntary process of evaluation to meet predetermined standards. Licensure is permission granted by the government to practice a profession by meeting minimum competency standards to protect public health. Nurse practice acts govern entry-level nursing and title protection varies by state. Certification is recognition granted by non-governmental agencies that individuals have met certain qualifications. The document provides contact information for nursing boards and outlines steps for new NPs to obtain necessary approvals and authority to practice including national certification and adopting protocols.

1. Session Three Legal Issues: The Basics

2. Accreditation A process by which an agency or organization evaluates and recognizes an institution or program of study as meeting certain predetermined criteria or standards. It is a voluntary process based upon the concept of self-regulation

3. Licensure The process by which an agency of the government grants permission to persons to engage in a given profession or occupation by certifying that those licensed have attained a minimum degree of competency necessary to ensure that the public health, safety and welfare will be reasonably well protected.

4. Nurse Practice Acts Govern entry-level nursing Since January 1997 all states regulate APN Title protection in all states except Tn. NCSBN opposed ANA’s proposal for second licensure for APNs. Multistate Licensure Registration

5. Certification Process by which a non-governmental agency or voluntary association grants recognition to an individual who has met certain predetermined qualifications specified by that agency or association.

6. Major Certifying Organizations American Nurses Credentialing Center American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecological and Neonatal Nursing Specialties National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners/Nurses

7. ANCC Facts: Requirements Certification valid for five years Sylvan Learning Center test site 500 hours of supervised practice Preparation as NP in MSN or post-MSN program Copy of official transcript Completed application and fee 1-800-234-2378 www. nursing world.org.ancc Active registered nurse license Master’s Degree in Nursing

8. Prescriptive Authority The legal right to prescribe medications as governed by different rules and regulations or laws in each state. Can use formularies, protocols developed jointly by MD and APN, or APN prescriptive authority Since 1999 APNs have had independent/dependent statutory or regulatory prescriptive authority

9. Prescriptive Authority DEA registration numbers allow you to dispense controlled substances (Schedule II-V) as allowed by state law DEA phone: 615-736-2559 Certificate of Fitness: RN license, MSN,NP program of studies, 3 quarter hours of pharmacology, national certification in specialty area

10. Temporary Certificate of Fitness Issued only once and valid until the results of the certification exam are known If applicant fails permit must be returned to TBON Must work under RN with COF or MD

11. Steps for NPs entering practice: Obtain all forms from Board of Nursing, Board of Medical Examiners, and Board of Pharmacy Apply for national certification Adopt protocols File for additional approvals

12. Contact Information www.state.tn.us/health www.dhp.state.va.us www.ncbon.com Tn: 1-888-310-4650 Va: 1-804-662-9909 Nc: 1-919-782-3211

13. Negotiating a Contract The Essentials

14. Do your homework Know “going rates” Assess your needs Never assume compensation has been decided Consider all aspects of compensation Put it in writing Keep compensation confidential