The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) supports the process of credentialing and privileging all advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to ensure they possess the required qualifications, licensure, training, and abilities to practice at a nationally approved standard of care. Credentialing and privileging are the formal processes of confirming the qualifications and skills of health care providers based on the four elements required by The Joint Commission including: current licensure; relevant education, training, or experience; current competence, judgment, and health status; and the ability to perform the activities for which privileges are requested.  As noted in the statement, the credentialing and privileging process is accomplished through activities designed to collect, verify, and evaluate data relevant to the practitioner’s professional performance. These data are the foundation for objective, evidence-based decisions regarding appointment to membership on the medical staff and recommendations to grant or deny initial and renewed privileges.
To make credentialing and privileging decisions objectively, transparently and equitably, NAPNAP supports the privileging and credentialing of APRNs in a streamlined fashion by a single organizational medical staff committee. To avoid creating additional barriers for APRN practice, which can lead to reduced patient access to care, NAPNAP advocates for credentialing and privileging practices that are not more restrictive than state scope of practice acts.
NAPNAP advocates for APRN credentialing through The Joint Commission’s medical staff credentialing process as licensed independent practitioners and nurse practitioner member status to the medical staff with a full scope of practice. NAPNAP also supports the inclusion of APRN full voting members on credentialing and privileging committees, continuing education opportunities to allow APRNs to enhance the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain privileges while ensuring optimal patient care and professional development.
The position statement, including additional recommendations, is published in the January/February edition of the Journal of Pediatric Health Care and can be accessed here.
Feb. 23, 2023
