Who are advanced practice nurses?

The nursing profession sets the standards for use of the term advanced practice nurse (APN).  Current nursing standards limit the term advanced practice nurse to four nursing specialties: certified nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse anesthetists (CRNA).

The Boards of Nursing in many states have issued regulations related to licensure of APNs.  These states require CRNAs to maintain an APN license in order to practice. Advanced practice status is NOT required to practice as a CRNA in West Virginia (WV). 

A masters degree in nursing is required in order to make announcement of advanced practice in WV (unless an individual was grandfathered in at the time the law was passed). At this time, announcement of advanced practice has no effect on the ability to work in WV as a CRNA. In fact, less than 5% of WV CRNAs have a MSN; the vast majority of our masters prepared CRNAs have their degree in non-nursing field(s).

Advanced practice status is required to obtain prescriptive authority in WV. Prescriptive authority is required to write prescriptions for patients that will be filled by a third party (such as a drugstore pharmacy). Typical nurse anesthesia practice does not include this third party, so most CRNAs do not need prescriptive authority in order to do their jobs.

At this time, announcement of advanced practice (or not) seems to have no impact on CRNAs in WV.  However, all WV CRNAs are advanced practice nurses, as defined by the profession of nursing.  All West Virginia CRNAs are fully entitled to be a part of the advanced practice community.  WV CRNAs can, and should, contribute to the dialogue, growth and professional development of advanced practice nursing.

The WV Nurses Association (WVNA) Advanced Practice Council is the professional organization for all APNs in WV.  Strong relationships with other APNs have been important to CRNA struggles in other states.  I encourage my WV CRNA colleagues to consider joining the APN council. Any CRNA can join the APN council, regardless of advanced practice status (or not) with the WV Board of Examiners for RNs.

Who are advanced practice nurses?  We all are.

Cassy Taylor CRNA

How can I join WV APN Council?

For information on joining the WV APN Council, contact the WV Nurses Association:

                        Website: www.wvnurses.org

Or contact Monique Fortson:

                        Email: mfortson@wvnurses.org

                        Phone: 304.342.1169        

                        Toll Free: 1.800.400.1226

 Full membership in both the American Nurses Association and the WV Nurses Association is $266.  Membership in only the WV Nurses Association is $149. Either of these membership options will entitle a CRNA to join the APN Council Membership in the APN council is an additional $25.

For more information about CRNA involvement in the APN Council contact Cassy Taylor:

                        Email: cassycrna@yahoo.com

                        Phone: 304.388.9952