Increasing Access to Health Care by Implementing a Consensus Model for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Practice

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are expert clinicians who manage the patient's overall care. The APRN Consensus Work Group and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing APRN Advisory Committee developed a Consensus Model to standardize APRN regulations and licensing. This model focuses on 4 roles: certified registered nurse anesthetist, certified nurse-midwife, clinical nurse specialist, and certified nurse practitioner. Twenty-three states have implemented this Consensus Model. This article focuses on increasing awareness for implementation of the APRN Consensus Model. Eliminating practice barriers will standardize the regulatory process for APRNs, increase state-to-state practice mobility, and increase access to APRN care nationwide.