Credentialing. Health, Medicine, Nursing Assignment

Congratulations! You are a recently graduated nurse practitioner and are ready to start your new position as a primary care provider at Mercy Community Clinic. You have taken the certification exam and received notice that you passed. Even with your new degree and your success on the exam, you won’t be able to begin working right away. First you’ll need to complete the credentialing process.
Introduction to Credentialing Transcript
Credentialing is a term applied to the process used to designate that an individual has met the necessary standards to obtain privileges to practice. Credentialing, as previously defined, is an umbrella term, which incorporates licensure, registration, certification, accreditation, and recognition.
As a newly employed graduate, you must go through the credentialing process. This process is not limited to new APNs; to begin employment at a new organization or institution, you must also complete the credentialing process.
Credentialing will ensure that you, as a practitioner, have been properly trained, licensed, and certified. It is an indicator of quality and clinical competence. Although the credentialing process may vary based on the state you practice in and the institution of employment, there is a basic process all nurse practitioners will follow.
Verification Transcript
The credentialing process will then verify adequate education, licensure, training, and certification to be employed as an advanced practice nurse based on the state practice act, rules, and regulations.
This process can vary between differing institutions. It is important to keep in mind that completion of the credentialing process can take several weeks, with an average of four to eight weeks before it is completed.
Six Weeks Later Transcript
Congratulations! You have completed the credentialing process and are ready to begin your new position as a nurse practitioner! Keep in mind that if at any time you change your place of employment, this process will need to be repeated.
Proof of education
To become credentialed, you will need to provide a copy of your high school diploma and your associate and/or a bachelor of science in nursing and master of science in nursing diplomas. Any post-masters certificates that are applicable to the position you are applying for should be provided as well.
Evidence of state licensure
As evidence of state licensure, copies of your registered nurse license and a copy of your advanced practice license, if individually licensed in your state of practice, are required. If your state does not license advanced practice nurses, then you will need to provide a copy of your document of recognition.
Evidence of certification
All family and adult-gerontology nurse practitioners take the national certification exam through either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Once this exam is passed, you will have to maintain current certification by renewing it every five years. Requirements for recertification vary between the two certifying bodies. You will need to provide a copy of your certification.
NPI and/or DEA number
All nurse practitioners will apply for a National Provider Identifier, or NPI, number, which is required before you can prescribe medications. You will be assigned a unique number that will remain with you as long as you are employed as a nurse practitioner. There is no cost for the NPI number. A Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) number is required if you as a practitioner, are able to prescribe controlled substances according to your state’s regulations. The regulations allowing advanced practice nurses to prescribe controlled substances vary widely by state. If you work in a state that allows nurse practitioners to prescribe controlled substances, then you will apply for a DEA number. There is a fee to apply for a DEA number, which also must be renewed every three years.
Current life-support certification
Depending on the institution where you will be practicing, you will need to provide evidence of basic and advanced life-support certification. All nurse practitioners will need evidence of basic life-support for healthcare providers, which is typically from the American Heart Association. Some institutions require providers to be certified in advanced cardiac life support in both adult and pediatric populations.
Clinical references (3)
You will be required to provide three letters of recommendation from advanced practice nurses or physicians who have knowledge of your clinical competence. As a newly graduated practitioner completing the credentialing process for the first time, you most likely will receive use faculty and clinical preceptors that you have worked with during your educational program as potential recommendations.
Summary of employment history/clinical practice experience
You will be asked to provide a list of previous employment that is applicable to your new employment position. It is important to remember that your experience as a registered nurse should be included.
After viewing the media piece on the credentialing process and reading the required article, what questions, concerns, etc. do you anticipate encountering? above is the transcript of the media.