Name
Chamberlain University
NR-581: Foundational Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice
Prof. Name
Date
Name:
Intended State of Practice:
Carefully read the assignment guidelines and rubric and complete each section of the worksheet below using complete sentences.
After completing the program, I plan to practice as a nurse practitioner in the state of New Jersey. This state provides a robust framework for advanced practice nurses, supporting professional independence while ensuring patient safety and high-quality care.
To gather reliable information on NP scope of practice in New Jersey, I explored a variety of sources including the New Jersey State Board of Nursing, nurse associations, government publications, and non-profit organizations. Among these, the New Jersey State Board of Nursing provides the most comprehensive and authoritative guidance on educational requirements, certification, prescriptive authority, and practice regulations for advanced practice nurses (NJ, 2024).
In New Jersey, aspiring nurse practitioners must complete a graduate-level program approved by the state board. Specifically, the educational requirement includes a master’s degree or higher, with a minimum of 39 hours of pharmacology coursework. Completing a nationally recognized certification examination is also mandatory to validate the advanced practice competencies and readiness to provide patient care (NJ, 2024).
Certification in New Jersey requires submitting an application to the New Jersey Board of Nursing, providing proof of an active RN license, and completing at least 39 hours of supervised clinical practice under a qualified preceptor. Nurse practitioners must also maintain national certification and meet continuing education requirements to ensure ongoing competency in providing safe and effective patient care. These measures reflect New Jersey’s commitment to high standards in advanced practice nursing.
New Jersey is classified as a full practice state, granting nurse practitioners the authority to practice independently without mandatory physician supervision.
Although New Jersey allows full practice, certain prescribing activities may require collaboration with a physician. According to Section 13:37-7.9 of the New Jersey Board of Nursing regulations, advanced practice nurses (APNs) may:
Manage preventive care and diagnose/manage deviations from wellness
Order laboratory and diagnostic tests
Prescribe medications and medical devices
Refer patients to other licensed healthcare professionals
Perform approved procedures
This ensures comprehensive care while promoting collaboration when prescribing certain medications.
In New Jersey, nurse practitioners and certified APNs are authorized to prescribe controlled substances (Schedules II-V). Before prescribing, the APN must establish a joint protocol with a licensed physician. Additionally, APNs must complete six hours of continuing education in pharmacology related to controlled substances, opioid management, and responsible prescribing practices, including recognizing signs of addiction and abuse (NJ, 2024).
Regulations for prescribing controlled substances include:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Controlled Substance Prescriptions | APNs can prescribe Schedule II-V substances following a joint protocol with a collaborating physician. |
| Patient Query | First-time prescriptions for Schedule II or opioids require a patient query via the NJ Prescription Monitoring Program (NJPMP). |
| Acute Pain Prescriptions | Initial prescriptions are limited to a 5-day supply, at the lowest effective dose of an immediate-release opioid. |
| DEA Number | Prescriptions for controlled substances require the APN’s DEA number. |
| Documentation | APNs must sign prescriptions, include certification numbers, and reference the collaborating physician. |
| Joint Protocol Review | APNs and collaborating physicians must review, update, and sign joint protocols annually. |
These regulations ensure safe and effective prescribing while mitigating risks associated with opioid and controlled substance use.
To maintain licensure in New Jersey, APNs are required to complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years, including:
At least one hour on organ and tissue donation
At least one hour addressing prescription opioids, alternatives to opioids, and recognizing abuse/addiction
Six hours of pharmacology CE specific to controlled substances
This ongoing education reinforces advanced clinical knowledge, keeps practitioners updated on evolving regulations, and ensures patient-centered care.
NJ. (2024, April 7). New Jersey – Advanced practice nurse certification.
https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/nur/Pages/APN-Certification.asp
