Q&A: Our hospital filled a nursing director position (which requires a BS in nursing) with a nurse practitioner (NP). What is the requirement, if any, to credential the NP through the MS process?
A: If the individual you describe is in an administrative nursing director role only and is not going to perform clinical care that does not require an advanced level of degree and licensure, the individual need not be privileged through the medical staff. If the NP functions at a higher-level of nursing (such as leaning orders, treating patients), then the individual would need privileges for that clinical capacity. However, the NP you describe would not need privileges for that administrative role alone.
Editor's note: Questions and topic suggestions can be e-mailed to CVU at mcoler@hcpro.com. We'll find an expert or resource to tackle the credentialing or verification issues that are challenging you.
