Understanding the role of a Connecticut APRN

After reading the article, “Abortion vote subject of controversial text,” [Oct.

19, Connecticut section, page 1] I was compelled to write this letter to clarify the role of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Connecticut.

Do you know that after a specific number of hours and certain number of years spent in collaboration with a physician, the APRN can register with the Department of Public Health as an independent provider? Do you know we, as APRNs, are registered with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, and a great deal of APRNs are registered with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration? We also maintain both CT RN and CT APRN licensure as well as national certification. APRNs are master’s prepared, and some of us are doctoral prepared.

APRNs are not supervised by physicians; we collaborate with them for three years and a specific number of hours in practice after passing our national boards. After that APRNs can register as independent providers.

I have been an independent provider for years. My education and experience as an APRN have taught me to acknowledge when a referral to a physician, psychiatrist or another provider is needed to address a higher acuity illness or a more complex medical issue.

Many APRNs are independent providers and are part of a team. We refer patients to other providers, we admit patients to hospitals, and sometimes, we are the patients’ primary care provider. Our scope of practice can be reviewed on the CT Department of Public Health website. In the article I’m referencing, I believe legislators who are voting for this law or other laws regarding APRN practice, need to be aware of the role of the APRN and APRN scope of practice in Connecticut.

Jill Espelin, East Lyme

The writer is an APRN with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.