The APRN Joint Dialogue Group (2008), describes an APRN as a nurse who accepts the obligation and liability for health promotion and the evaluation, examination, and supervision of patient circumstances, which may incorporate the treatment and prescription of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.
Every state determines the standard and obligations for LACE that the APN must abide by to practice in that state. Regrettably, not all states are equivalent with regards to the criteria for LACE and the independence the APRN …show more content…
Before obtaining a license to practice, the certified nurse practitioner must be a registered nurse, graduated from a master’s program and successfully pass the national certification exam (Nursing Licensure Texas, 2016). In addition, education requirements should consist of specific subjects: advance physical assessment, advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacotherapeutics (Texas Board of Nursing, 2013). Furthermore, a student must complete 500 clinical hours in every practice role and population before graduating from the master’s program (Texas Board of Nursing, 2013). Once the student completes the graduate program, they can sit for the national certification exam. For CNPs to stay current and renew their license, the board of nursing requires a minimum of 400 practice hours and 20 continue educational hours every two years (Nursing Licensure Texas, 2016). Additionally, if the APN holds prescriptive authority five more contact hours in pharmacotherapeutics will be needed. Plus, if the APN has prescriptive authority for a controlled substance, they will need three extra contact hours on prescribed controlled medication (Nursing Licensure Texas,