APRN Practice Guidelines
Individual scopes of practice vary from one APRN to another, even between APRNs within the same role and focus area. It is important to remember that each nurse is responsible and accountable for the care they provide and to practice within their area of education, licensure, competence, and experience.
APRNs are expected to practice within their licensed role, focus area, competence, and experience. The scope of their practice, defined as tasks or activities they may perform or provide, vary based on the individual licensee. To determine if a task, intervention or role is within an APRN’s scope, refer to the APRN Scope of Practice Algorithm pictured below.
Age Parameters: The Board endorsed the LACE Network’s Clarifying Statement on Age Parameters for APRNs: “Circumstances exist in which a patient, by virtue of age, could fall outside the traditionally defined population focus of an APRN but, by virtue of special need, is best served by that APRN. Such patients may be identified as non-traditional patients for that APRN. In these circumstances, the APRN may manage the patient or provide expert consultation to assure the provision of evidence-based care to these patients.” Reference: LACE APRN Network (2012, April 24).
APRNs who want to treat patients that are not consistent with the APRN’s foundational education, certification, and licensed APRN role are strongly encouraged to obtain additional formal education and national certification to align with the new role and population focus area. However, no matter what an APRN’s role or focus area, an APRN is expected to identify abnormal findings and appropriately collaborate and refer conditions outside of their expertise.
Find specific practice information for each type of APRN on the CNM, CNP, CRNA, and CNS practice pages.