Home > New Advance Practice statutes effective January 1, 2012

New Advance Practice statutes effective January 1, 2012

In 2003, the National Council State Board of Nursing Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) committee began a draft APRN vision paper in an attempt to resolve APRN regulatory concerns. Their purpose was to provide direction to boards of nursing regarding APRN regulation. During this time the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) Consensus Group (which was composed of designees from 23 organizations was working to develop consensus on the issues surrounding APRNs. In 2006, the NCSBN APRN committee met with the APRN Consensus Work Group to discuss the NCSBN draft vision paper. Both groups agreed to continue to dialogue and they continued their work on their respective vision papers. A subcommittee (APRN Joint Dialogue Group) was established with 7 members of each group. It was determined that instead of two papers, one joint paper would be developed.

The Consensus Model defines APRN practice, describes the APRN regulatory model, identifies the titles to be used, defines specialty, describes the emergence of new roles and population foci, and presents strategies for implementation. The Consensus Model was discussed at the Delegate Assemble of NCSBN in the summer of 2008. After discussion the model was adopted by the representatives of the state boards of nursing from across the country.

The Kansas State Board of Nursing was invited to work with representatives of several nursing organizations in Kansas. Three members of the Board of Nursing and staff attended the meetings during the discussion and development of possible legislative change. This group reviewed the consensus model and it was referred to during the process. The ARNP bill was introduced by KSBN and was titled SB 134. The bill passed the Senate and was referred to the House Committee on Health and Human Services. It passed that committee and was then passed by the House of Representatives as amended in Committee and on the floor. Due to amendments it was referred to a conference committee. In the conference committee the bill was gutted and the language was placed in HB 2182 along with 11 other health care bills. HB 2182 was then passed by both chambers and signed by Governor Brownback.

There are six proposed changes requested in this bill which are consistent with the Consensus Model.

1. Title change from Advance Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) to Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). By changing the title, it will establish uniformity with other states in the nation and will be less confusing to APRNs who come to Kansas for licensure.

2. Change certificate of qualification to licensure. Certification is granted
to an APRN by an accrediting agency when they have completed specialty education. KSBN licenses LPN, RN, and LMHT so this would provide consistency in our process. Also, licensure is one of the four essential elements of the Consensus Model.

3. Changes categories of APRN to roles. The roles will continue to be the same as currently in statute. Those four roles are: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife, and Nurse Practitioner.

4. Require a Masters or higher degree in an APRN role. This change in the statute will align Kansas with other states in the nation. All APRN programs in Kansas confer a Master degree upon graduation.

5. Continuing education in the APRN role. Presently ARNP are only required to have continuing nursing education hours every two years in the RN role. Although APRNs usually obtain the hours in the advanced role, this will now require them to receive advance practice continuing nursing education.

6. Any ARNP who is registered to practice prior to the effect date of this bill will be deemed to be licensed to practice as an APRN without being required to file an original application for licensure to remain in practice.

These changes will become effective on January 1, 2012. The Board of Nursing ARNP Committee is in the process of updating the ARNP regulations to incorporate the changes and to determine the number of continue nursing education hours needed for renewal. Continue to watch the web page, newsletter, and board packet for further updates.