The State of Virginia recognizes with licensure several advanced practice nurses (APN's).  All APN's are BSRN's who have taken further studies to at least obtain a Master's Degree, often to become a Nurse Practictioner (NP).  In Virginia, Nurse Practitioners are licensed such that they can exam patients, diagnose diseases, and prescribe medications.  With the continued evolution of America's health care system, there will be a heavier demand for Nurse Practitioners, both in primary care and in the subspecialties.

However, Virginia will not license a Clinical Nurse Specialist, despite their advanced degree and despite their receving training very similar to the more common NP.  It seems odd to me and inappropriate that Virginia would license one variety of APN but not another, despite nearly identical skill sets and background training for the two different APN's.  Clinical Nurse specilatists should be able to function in the field as does an NP.

Therefore, I strongly support the petition that would expand the scope of practice and allow licensure  for Clinical Nurse Specialists, and I urge a favorable ruling on this petition.