Courtesy of FNPN:  

APRN Title Change

The Florida Board of Nursing Long Range Planning meeting was held in Orlando on Friday, June 8, 2018 and was attended by Dr. Vicky Stone-Gale and Dr. Jean Aertker. At this meeting there was a lengthy discussion regarding the new changes taking place as the BON prepares to transition our current ARNP title to the APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) title. All Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) will now become APRN’s as the new law takes effect October 1, 2018. Here is a brief synopsis of what you can expect moving forward to prepare for the title change.

1. The new RN and APRN licenses are scheduled to go out October 8, 2018 and will be issued with the new title. It will be designated as to if you are a CNS, APRN, CNM, etc. You can practice without any concerns on your current license after October 1 until they get your new one to you. They expect that everyone will have their new license in the mail by October 30th.
2. Your current APRN license number will remain the same and so will the RN license. It will be something such as RN 1234567; APRN 1234567. Each license will have the same number. If you choose to let your RN license go then you will function as an RN and APRN under the APRN. If you choose to keep it for the Multistate Compact then that is your choice (many educators working on-line programs may need this and if you want to move out of state to a compact state). You may want to consider keeping your RN license because if you are disciplined as an APRN and can't do those functions, you would still have an RN license to work on—depending on the discipline of course. You do save $50 on the RN license if you keep it. 3. If you are currently practicing, then you can have both licenses but any new APRN applicants after 10/1/2018 will only be able to apply for the APRN license or RN--both won't be inclusive as they are now for current licensees. Fees will be the same for the RN and APRN license but will be reduced for the APRN only license if you choose not to do the RN. 4. The application for APRN is being redone along with every other document at the BON and on the website. This is a tedious task and they are diligently working on it with extra staff assigned to get it done by 10/1 although the legislature has given them until October 1, 2020 to complete everything--they prefer not to wait but will tying up loose ends for a while. 5. CNS's will need a protocol and it will be up to the physician on what they can and cannot do, just like APRN's. If they work in a hospital setting they will need a protocol with a physician to perform APRN functions and prescribe. Same as if they work in an office. When asked in public forum by a hospital representative she was told they are now APRN's and can do what is in the protocol. The previous CNS rules and reg will become defunct as of September 30 and will be deleted as they no longer pertain to the CNS's. They will function under everything related to APRN's. CNS’s will need to follow the same guidelines to apply for a DEA number and must maintain the same CEU’s required for licensure.
3. If a CNS is already licensed in Florida and did not have the 3 P's (which may be only a few) they are grandfathered in and the hope is that a physician on their protocol will not allow them to prescribe or do certain things, and one would also hope they would not want to and would not go out of their SOP. 7. The Board is planning to do a mass announcement of the changes to all in Florida and will be doing so via mail, social media, conference, meetings, etc. They have assured us that everyone will be aware of the changes as they move forward. 8. There was a question raised about physicians wanting to know the difference now between a CNS and APRN and the answer is NOTHING. They are one and the same and that should be your answer.
4. All CNS’s are required to carry malpractice insurance in their new APRN role. This cover is the same as an APRN.
5. All current ARNP discipline cases will be pulled by the BON and reviewed to determine if that individual can get a new license depending on probable cause findings.
6. The recent statutory term “ Psychiatric Nurse” means Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner - so for a psych specialist CNS they still must have national Psych NP Certification (be Psych np really) to prescribe and treat under protocol with psychiatrist.
7. Board of Nursing will provide ample time for the new title to be updated at your workplace for signage, cards, lab coats, prescription pads, letterhead, etc. (the bill states to be implemented by 2020) but the target is October 1, 2018 for the new licenses to be sent out listing all as APRN and separate license for RN. It is suggested that you do work to have these changes in place by October 1, 2018, specifically on prescribing documents such as in the EMR and your prescription pads. Your patients know who you are and will not even really notice the title change but you do want to be compliant with the new law as soon as possible. It is each licensees responsibility to ensure they discuss these changes with their employee and work with them to do the title change on all documents.
8. Concerned about credentialing in your facility??- the BON said that the workplace handles that and decides what you can and can’t do and this is not a board function. They do not regulate your scope of practice—only the laws that govern your license in the Nurse Practice Act.

 For Clinical Nurse Specs and to clear any confusion CNS = APRN as of October 1, 2018

We will keep you informed as to any other questions or changes that come up regarding the title change but please do not hesitate to email me or Jean.

 

Submitted by:

Dr. Vicky Stone-Gale, DNP, FNP-C, FAANP

vsgalearnp@comcast.net

754-581-5126

 

Dr. Jean Aertker, DNP, CNP-BC, APRN,COHN-S, FAANP

draertker@gmail.com

813-787-3175