New GA Practice Rules - The Consensus Model Continues

I thought this deserved its own thread. This the Georgia position paper on FNPs working in "acute" care settings:

Position Statement: Family Nurse Practitioners in Acute Care SettingsThe Georgia Board of Nursing (Board”) supports the changes to the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP”) credentialingprocess related to those FNPs working in the acute care environment.

The following is guidance from the Board tocurrent FNPs working in acute care:1) The Board supports FNPs currently practicing in acute care settings allowing the FNP to remain employed inthose settings after January 1, 2015 with the following stipulations:

a. FNPs must demonstrate competence in their practice setting in acute care to continue working in acutecare according to the facility assessment of practice.

b. FNPs not certified in Acute Care should maintain current FNP certification and current RN and APRNlicenses.

c. FNPs not certified in acute care should obtain part of the required CEUs in care of patients in the acutecare setting each RN and certification renewal period. FNP should seek guidance from the certifyingbody as to how many hours would be needed to meet requirement.

d. If certification or licensure lapses, FNPs would have to become certified in Acute Care before returningto work in an acute care setting. It is most important to maintain certification and RN licensure.

e. The Board supports current FNPs working in acute care settings having the option to change positions orfacilities in the acute care setting if qualified for the practice setting.

2) The Board supports the change in certification requirements for new FNPs and current FNPs not working inacute care as of January 1, 2015. Certification requirements are determined by the certifying bodies.

3) The Board highly recommends FNPs currently working in acute care organizations to begin the process ofcompleting requirements to allow for meeting the full certification requirements as Acute Care NP in the future.