ONS Congress Session to Address APRN Consensus Work Group Report

In recent years, the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) role has expanded rapidly in terms of numbers and capabilities, yet no uniform APRN regulation model currently exists across the United States. Thus, each state independently determines such important parameters as legal scope of practice, roles that are recognized, criteria for entry into advanced practice, and minimum certification requirements. These inconsistencies adversely have affected access to care for patients and created a significant barrier for APRNs who wish to move from state to state.

In 2004, a national panel, the APRN Consensus Work Group, was formed and charged with developing a uniform regulatory model for advanced practice nursing. On May 16, 2008, a special session will be held at the ONS 33rd Annual Congress in Philadelphia, PA, to discuss the work group’s recently completed recommendations. Speakers, including ONCC Executive Director and APRN Consensus Work Group Member Cyndi Miller Murphy, MSN, RN, CAE,as well as APRNs representing ONS and ONCC, will present a historical perspective on the regulation of nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists and discuss the current state of regulation for oncology nurses in these roles. In addition, the session will highlight details of the proposed regulatory model developed by the work group along with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

Because of the importance of APRNs caring for patients now and in the future, it is vital that the education, accreditation, certification, and licensure of APRNs be effectively aligned to ensure patient safety while expanding patient access to APRNs. APRNs, as well as educators and employers of APRNs planning to attend ONS Congress are encouraged to add this session to their busy schedules to learn more about this important report that may significantly affect their profession in the near future and for years to come.

The most recent draft of the paper describing the proposed regulatory model can be found here. A slide show, describing the process and the new model was presented during a stakeholders meeting on April 14, 2008 at ANA Headquarters and can be viewed by clicking here.