In July 2008, 40 organizations endorsed a document “The Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, and Education” completed through the work of the APRN Consensus Work Group and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing APRN Advisory Committee.  This model outlines 4 roles:

1. 1. Certified Nurse Practitioners (CNP)
2. 2. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA)
3. 3. Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM)
4. 4. Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS)

Within each role, education is focused on 1 of 6 population groups:

1. 1. Family/Individual across the lifespan
2. 2. Adult/Gerontology
3. 3. Pediatrics
4. 4. Neonatal
5. 5. Women’s Health/Gender-Related
6. 6. Psych/Mental Health

Licensure would occur at the level of the chosen role and population group.  From there, the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) can choose to further specialize their practice, such as oncology, orthopedics, nephrology, palliative care, etc. This recommendation for an APRN Regulatory Model is targeted to take effect in 2015.