ANCC information

Connecticut Nursing News, Sep-Nov 2001

Important Message to the Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Community

I am greatly concerned over the number and content of the messages ANCC is receiving on a daily basis from Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Specialists. I have discussed your concerns in detail with key nursing leaders, including Dr. Joanne Hickey, Chair of the ANCC Commission on Certification, Ms. Sue Krupnick, who is an ANCC Commissioner on Certification and President of the International Society of Psychiatric Nursing (ISPN) and Dr. Jane White, Executive Director of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA). These discussions have occurred to improve communications with members of the psychiatric mental health community.

The education waiver under discussion was requested to assist our colleagues in a small number of states. By no means is this a mandate that Certified Nurse Specialists should take the NP exam, nor are we suggesting that CNS exams will be eliminated. ANCC bases examination eligibility on input from nursing organizations, state boards of nursing and experienced, certified nurses within the field. I invite you to review the contents of this waiver by thoroughly reading the updated explanation and the frequently asked questions (FAQ) section of the ANCC section of www.nursingworld.org

It is our purpose to promote and enhance the health of the public by certifying nurses who ascribe to the American Nurses Association standards of nursing. Dr. White extended an invitation for ANCC to participate in the APNA Annual Conference in October and during the next few months, we will be working on a format for the combined ANCC and APNA presentation. By making ourselves available at the APNA conference this fall to clarify this waiver, it is my hope that we can resolve ongoing concerns.

Psychiatric Mental Health Waiver In Effect ONLY Until December 31, 2001

Connecticut Nurses' Association (CNA) and the Connecticut Society of Nurse Psychotherapists (CSNP) have written to ANCC requesting that the date for the waiver be extended. This would provide more time for CNSs to fulfill the academic credit requirement of four courses that are required of a CNS to sit for.the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner exam a one time exception to use continuing education (contact hours) as a substitute for academic credit. We will keep you informed if we receive any more information about this waiver.

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) requested a one time exception (waiver) for certified clinical nurse specialists for the academic credit requirement of four courses identified below that are required of certified clinical nurse specialists to sit for the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner exam. The Commission on Certification (COC) responded to this request by granting the waiver to accept continuing education for theses four courses from certified clinical nurse specialists who are authorized in their particular states for APN, APRN, ARNP or NP status with prescriptive authority. The waiver is intended for candidates who have already completed these courses or components, but who may have taken some of them by continuing education. This waiver recognizes continuing education (contact hours) as a substitute for academic credit; it does not eliminate the requirement.

Specifically:

* The exception (waiver) does not apply to CNSs with prescriptive authority who are still licensed to practice as CNSs by their respective states.

* A copy of the APN, APRN, ARNP or NP license status must be provided.

* Application completion, process and fees apply.

* The exception (waiver) applies to the advanced physical assessment (not mental health assessment), advanced pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology, and the diagnostic and management (including medications) courses only.

Evidence of completion of these four courses is required (Contact hour certificates of attendance, transcripts, letters of attendance or verification, course work descriptions, etc). We will evaluate each application individually for qualification.

If the state did not require one or more of the four courses above and the candidate wishes to complete them before the end of 2001 in order to be able to sit the exam, the following hours are required:

at least 45 contact hours for each course listed; advanced physical assessment, advanced pathophysiology (or neurophysiology), advanced pharmacology courses and, advanced physical assessment, which must include hands-on clinical experience.

120 hours of clinical practice (not supervision hours) in diagnosis and medication management signed by the collaborating or supervising individual (certified peer [CNS or NP], licensed and practicing psychologist and/or psychiatrist) eligible to prescribe psychotropics. This document, which can be a letter, should describe the clinical settings where the practice took place, types/diagnoses of patients seen and medications prescribed

This waiver is in effect until December 31, 2001. Candidates who apply by December 31st will be allowed to test by computer until March 31, 2002. No applications will be accepted after December 31,2001.