Regulation of advanced nursing practice: Part One--Second licensure.

PURPOSE

To present an overview of the issues relating to second licensure and advanced nursing practice in oncology and to summarize recommendations regarding second licensure from the State-of-the-Knowledge Conference on Advanced Practice in Oncology Nursing.

DATA SOURCES

Published journal articles, a position paper and survey prepared by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and papers presented at the conference.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The use of second licensure to regulate advanced nursing practice is controversial and has advantages and disadvantages.

CONCLUSIONS

The Oncology Nursing Society should not adopt a position on second licensure until more is known about its advantages and disadvantages.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Advanced practice nurses must understand how licensure laws affect their scope of practice, their prescriptive authority, reimbursement, and other practice issues.