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 requ
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