See instructions attached
Now that you are in the final course in your program, it is time to turn in earnest to
preparing for certification and licensure. You will need to take and pass the national
PMHNP certification exam. Once certified, you will then be eligible to apply for licensure
as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) in the state desired. It will be up to
you to ensure you are knowledgeable about the practice agreements, scope of practice,
and prescriptive authority in your state.
Although a movement called the APRN Consensus Model is attempting to standardize
NP regulations nationally, it is still the case that requirements vary state to state. In
some states, NPs may establish an independent practice without the supervision of an
MD. Additionally, states are currently categorized as either allowing full practice,
reduced practice, or restricted practice. Full practice states allow NPs to evaluate, order
diagnostics, diagnose, and treat patients. They are licensed under the exclusive
authority of the state board of nursing for the appropriate state. Many states may require
prescriptive authority protocols in addition to collaborative agreement.
Another important area to consider and plan for is prescriptive authority. The
appropriate board, which may be the medical board, state board of pharmacy, or
nursing board, grants prescriptive authority under state law for the appropriate state
licensure. The federal government grants the authority to write for a controlled
substance, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) verifies this action through
by the appropriate state board. Drug Enforcement Agency registration is granted at the
federal level and has additional requirements/fees for the registration process. In this
Discussion, you will locate and review the practice agreements in the state in which you
plan to practice, identify potential collaboration requirements in your state, and
understand the certification and licensing process that you will need to follow.
Review practice agreements in your state (Florida)
• 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?
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.
Upload a copy of your discussion writing to the draft Turnitin for plagiarism check. Your
faculty holds the academic freedom to not accept your work and grade at a zero if your
work is not uploaded as a draft submission to Turnitin as instructed.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.
