Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in the Emergency Care Setting Position Statement-Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in the Emergency Care Setting Position Statement

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Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are highly trained and educated clinicians who play a crucial role in emergency care settings. APRNs, such as Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs), are licensed to diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications for complex medical conditions. They have been an integral part of the emergency care team for over 50 years.<br /><br />APRNs are particularly important in addressing the overcrowding issue in emergency departments (EDs), as they can provide quality healthcare to patients who cannot access primary care providers. EDs currently provide over 47% of all hospital-associated healthcare in the US. However, the regulatory landscape for APRNs varies by state, and their scope of practice may be limited in some areas.<br /><br />The Consensus Model for APRN Regulation aims to standardize the education, certification, licensure, and accreditation of APRNs and APRN programs in the US. However, there are concerns that the model's licensing requirements could create barriers to APRN practice in the emergency care setting. The model requires APRNs in emergency care to complete multiple courses of graduate study and maintain multiple certifications, which may not be feasible or necessary for all APRNs in this setting.<br /><br />The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) recognizes the importance of APRNs in the emergency care team and supports their role in providing quality healthcare. ENA believes there is a need for a single population focus that allows APRNs to treat acute care needs across the lifespan. ENA is committed to collaborating with stakeholders and developing standards of practice and competencies for APRNs in emergency care.<br /><br />The emergency care setting is unique because it treats patients of all ages with various medical histories and conditions. APRNs in this setting may be required to provide care for all patient populations, from chronic care to life-threatening conditions. Currently, APRNs in the US are licensed at the role level, and their scope of practice is determined by their education, certification, and clinical experience.<br /><br />Regardless of the outcome of discussions surrounding the Consensus Model, APRNs will continue to provide safe and effective care in the emergency care setting. ENA will continue to advocate for APRNs and collaborate with other stakeholders to support their education and training in this specialty.<br /><br />Overall, APRNs play a critical role in the emergency care setting and are essential for meeting the growing demand for emergency services. The Consensus Model for APRN Regulation offers potential solutions to standardize and enhance APRN education and practice, but there are unique challenges and considerations for APRNs in the emergency care setting that need to be addressed.

Meta Tag

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Keywords

APRNs

emergency care settings

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Consensus Model for APRN Regulation

Emergency Nurses Association

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