APRN Consensus Model Toolkit

APRNs and the Consensus Model

Regulation of APRNs

Scope of Practice

Although each APRN role has unique aspects to their scope of practice, there are often commonalities in the care they are educated, certified and authorized to provide.

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

The CNS is educated at an advanced level to care for patients in one of the six described populations and across the continuum of care. The role of the CNS encompasses the patient, the nurse and nursing practice, as well as the healthcare organization and system. The CNS is responsible and accountable for diagnosis and treatment of health/illness states, disease management, health promotion, and prevention of illness and risk behaviors among individuals, families, groups and communities.

Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP)

CNPs are educated and practice at an advanced level to provide care in a range of settings and in one of six patient populations. CNPs are responsible and accountable for health promotion, disease prevention, health education and counseling as well as the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic diseases. They provide initial, ongoing and comprehensive care to patients in family practice, pediatric, neonatal, geriatric, psych/mental health and women's health/gender-related populations. CNPs are prepared to practice as primary care or acute care nurse practitioners, each population has separate national competencies and unique certifications.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

The CRNA is prepared to provide the full spectrum of patients' anesthesia care and anesthesia-related care for individuals across the lifespan, whose health status may range from healthy through all recognized levels of acuity, including persons with immediate, severe, or life-threatening illnesses or injury. This care is provided in diverse settings, including hospital surgical suites.

Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

The CNM provides a full range of primary health care services to women throughout the lifespan, including gynecologic care, family planning services, preconception care, prenatal and postpartum care, childbirth, and care of the newborn. The practice includes treating the male partner of their female clients for sexually transmitted disease and reproductive health. This care is provided in diverse settings, which may include home, hospital, birth center and a variety of ambulatory care settings including private offices and community and public health clinics.