APRN Certification and License Plan in Massachusetts
APRN Certification and License Plan in Massachusetts
Review practice agreements in your state.
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?
APRN Certification and License Plan in Massachusetts
Certification and Licensing for PMHNPs
Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNPs) must possess detailed knowledge regarding certification and licensing requirements for their intended state of practice. It’s important that nurses ensures they meet these requirements as it guarantees their clinical competency and knowledge to providing appropriate patient care. This paper discusses practice agreement for PMHNPs in certification Massachusetts including certification and licensure requirements, scope of practice and prescriptive authority.
APRN Certification and Licensure Requirements in Massachusetts
According to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, (2024), the certification and licensure requirements for an APRN in Massachusetts include;
- Have current licensure as a registered nurse (RN license) in good standing.
- Have good moral character as required by the board policy.
- Must be a holder of a graduate-level degree program.
- Must successful completed and have proof of graduate level coursework in advanced assessment, advanced pathophysiology and advanced pharmacotherapy.
- Must have an APRN certification from an approved nursing certification organization, such as the ANCC or AANP.
The Application Process for Certification and the Board of Registration in Nursing in Massachusetts
Certification as an APRN in Massachusetts requires an online application to the Board of Registration in Nursing. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (2024) claims that an RN must attach all additional requirements including proof of RN licensure, transcript from an accredited graduate program, verification of national certification, and associated fees. A criminal background check is also required.
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The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (Board) is important as it provides certification and licensing that ensures the regulation of nursing practice, protection of public health, and enforcement of nursing standards (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2024). Further information of the board can be accessed through https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-in-nursing.
Nursing Scope of Practice and State Practice Agreement in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, the nursing scope of practice for nurses is defined in the state of agreement for under Chapter 112 Section 80B and related regulation. The agreement defines the designation, responsibilities and functioning of registered nurses. The function and responsibilities of registered nurses include assessing, analyzing and interpreting data, ordering tests, diagnosing and initiating and evaluate treatment plans for individuals and groups across lifespan. In addition, RN are also allowed to prescribe medication, provide health promotion and counselling to patients and serve as patient advocates (Massachusetts Nurses Association, 2023). The roles and function of RNs for practice are based on their certified are of specialty including psychiatric/mental health, family practice, among others APRN Certification and License Plan in Massachusetts.
Getting the DEA License
For registered nurses to acquire a DEA license in Massachusetts, one must first to be an APRN with prescriptive authority. The requirements for prescriptive authority include;
- Have an active Massachusetts APRN license
- Must be registered with the Massachusetts Controlled Substance Registration (MCSR)
- Should have a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number
- Payed the applicable registration fee
- All requirements are submitted online
- APRN Certification and License Plan in Massachusetts
Prescription Monitoring Program in Massachusetts
NPs have independent prescriptive authority for controlled substances all requirements have been complied with. It also requires that NPs receive training concerning pain management and addiction before being permitted to prescribe controlled substances. They are permitted to provide medications within Schedules II through VI so long as it is within their scope of practice and clinical competency (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2024). Schedule II medications have a high abuse potential and include all opioids, whereas Schedule VI includes those drugs that are not controlled. Massachusetts regulates its NPs responsibly through prescription rules, state, and federal laws, including the monitoring program known as Prescription Monitoring Program PMP.
References
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (2024). Apply for aprn authorization. Mass.gov. https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-aprn-authorization
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (2024a). Board of Registration in Nursing. Mass.gov. https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-in-nursing
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (2024b). Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration. Mass.gov. https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-controlled-substances-registration
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (2024c). Prescription Monitoring Program data in Massachusetts. Mass.gov. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/prescription-monitoring-program-data-in-massachusetts#:~:text=The%20Prescription%20Monitoring%20Program%20is%20a%20part%20of,residents%20from%20out%20of%20state%20mail%20order%20pharmacies.
Massachusetts Nurses Association. (2023, June 28). Mass nurse practice act. https://www.massnurses.org/nursing-resources/nursing-practice/mass-nurse-practice-act/ APRN Certification and License Plan in Massachusetts
