Becoming a Dermatology Nurse Practitioner: Credentials and Privileges
Dermatology Nurse Practitioners (NPs) can diagnosis, treat, and prescribe medications for skin, hair, and nail disorders. Depending on state law practice authority (full, reduced, or restricted), that may or may not require a supervising physician. In addition to opening a practice or landing that dream or entry job, the NP will need to obtain credentials and privileges. In this article, I review important definitions related to credentialing and privileging, the required documentation, and provide two helpful resources for Aspiring Dermatology Nurse Practitioners.
4 minute read
Definitions
-Credentialing is the formal confirmation of a Dermatology Nurse Practitioner’s education, qualifications, licensure, competency and ability to practice nationally approved standards of care (McMullen & Howie, 2020).
-Privileging is when the governing regulatory body determines the Dermatology Nurse Practitioner has demonstrated the qualifications to perform a specific set of services based on credentials (McMullen & Howie, 2020).
Credentialing and privileging are subject to 1) the regulation and interpretation of federal, state, and local laws and regulations; 2) healthcare facility bylaws (set of rules for how an organization is run); and common law (based on a judges’ decision and precedence, rather than a set of written laws) (McMullen & Howie, 2022).
Documentation and Verification
Below is a list of example documents you may be required to submit (either directly or by requesting official documents from the certifying entity) to a potential employer.
Dermatology Nurse Practitioner Credentials and Privileges Documentation
-Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
-Employment history, including start and end dates, and references
-Practice status, practice name (dates of service), admitting privileges, and dates of military service
-Liability coverage, gaps in coverage, and malpractice claims
-Diploma (picture), official transcript, dates of attendance, degrees conferred, college/university address, postgraduate training (name of entity, name of program director, dates, and address), national and specialty nursing certificate, registered nurse and advanced practice registered nurse state licensure, restrictions or limitations on licensure (past or present), basic and advanced cardiac life support certification, National Provider Identification (NPI), and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) license
-Detailed documentation of course curriculum, clinical logs from NP rotations, case reports, history & physicals, and other supporting documentation as proof of competency
-Social Security number (SSN), proof of U.S. citizenship, place of birth, birth date, address, phone
-History of mental health, drug, and/or alcohol abuse; and criminal violations (supporting documentation)
-Signed agreement to a background check, drug screen, physical, and/or credit report screening
Upon review, the credentials committee will determine the extent to which privileges will be granted and the scope of practice of the NP. The committee has the power to deny or limit privileges, in which case the NP can appeal as instructed in the bylaws. The Code of Federal Regulations requires that each NP is recredentialed every three years or sooner. Aspiring Dermatology Nurse Practitioners can request additional privileges from the credentialing committee, particularly after obtaining additional education and training to increase your scope of practice.
Continuing Education for Dermatology Nurse Practitioners
I’ve listed my references at the end of this article, including one by The Journal for Nurse Practitioners. The continuing education (CE) credit associated with the article by McMullen and Howie (2020) expired at the time of this writing. However, I would like to point out that journals are a great source for Aspiring Dermatology Nurse Practitioners to obtain CEs, particularly if you’re an avid reader. The CE may include contact and/or pharmacology credit, and you may be required to complete a quiz and pay a fee.
While I’m on the subject, I would like to refer you to the internal medicine podcast, Curbsiders. Whether we practice in dermatology or primary care, it’s important to know valuable resources that improve our holistic care and keep us up-to-date. The hosts frequently invite subject matter experts in every specialty of medicine to share clinical pearls that can save you and your patients time (money), and improve your diagnostic accuracy. Curbsiders has collaborated with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health Continuing Education to offer listeners the opportunity to obtain continuing education (CEs) credits by listening to each episode and completing a post-questionnaire. I have one of my NP preceptors, Joy, to thank for this recommendation.
McMullen, P. and Howie, W. (2020). Credentialing and privileging: A primer for nurse practitioners. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 16, 91-95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2019.10.015
I can earn a small commission when you use my Amazon product links.
Kimberly Madison, DNP, AGPCNP-BC
Kimberly Madison is a nurse practitioner with a passion for writing, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and mentorship. I created this blog to share my journey as I become a dermatology nurse practitioner and entrepreneur. Most importantly, I’m looking forward to helping nurse practitioners and aspiring students to better understand the business of dermatology and their role in improving access to care, providing culturally competent care, and advancing education.
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
