Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) represent a powerful and growing force in the U.S health care system. APRNs include certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists and certified nurse practitioners. The Consensus Model provides guidance for states to adopt uniformity in the regulation of APRN roles, licensure, accreditation, certification and education.
Although there has been significant progress in the implementation of components of the Consensus Model in many jurisdictions, there continue to be states which have not adopted all the elements for APRN regulation.
APRNs moving from state to state need to ask themselves,
- Have I met the requirements to practice in this state?
- Do I have the appropriate education and certification required to practice in this state?
- Does my training/experience match the APRN role scope of practice required to practice?
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted some state governors to temporarily remove unnecessary restrictions on APRNs. Lifting these barriers which do not follow the Consensus Model allowed APRNs to practice across state lines to meet the need for health care providers in surge areas. As long as regulatory requirements differ from state to state, each border represents an obstacle to license portability - potentially preventing access to APRN professionals and the high-quality care they provide.
Adoption of the Consensus Model moves states toward uniformity and license portability.
Visit the Consensus Model toolkit, a compendium of resources for understanding the Consensus Model.
