Rule 410-11-.05. Rules for Clinical Nurse Specialists, Psychiatric/Mental Health

1. (1) Definition

   1. (a) A clinical nurse specialist, psychiatric/mental health, is a registered professional nurse who has graduated from a program of graduate study and supervised practice; has demonstrated depth and breadth of knowledge, competence and skill in the advanced practice of psychiatric/mental health nursing; and is authorized to practice by the Board.

2. (2) Scope and Standards of Practice for the Clinical Nurse Specialist, Psychiatric/Mental Health.

   1. (a) The clinical nurse specialist, psychiatric/mental health, (CNS/PMH), is an advanced practice registered nurse who provides a full range of nursing services from mental health promotion to mental illness rehabilitation. As a primary mental health care provider, the clinical nurse specialist, psychiatric/mental health, provides psychotherapy, clinical supervision, consultation, and liaison services. The clinical nurse specialist, psychiatric/mental health, must practice in accordance with the Board-approved current standards of the American Nurses Association's A Statement on Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nursing Practice and Standards of Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nursing Practice.

3. (3) Requirements to Practice as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Psychiatric/Mental Health.

   1. (a) Prior to January 1, 1999, an applicant who submits the following items may be authorized to practice as a clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/mental health:

      1. 1. Evidence of current licensure as a registered professional nurse in Georgia;
      2. 2. Completed Board application with required fee; and
      3. 3. Official transcript which verifies a master's or higher degree in nursing with specialization in psychiatric/mental health nursing which includes a minimum of two (2) graduate courses in psychiatric/mental health nursing, supervised practice for each of the two (2) graduated courses and evidence of advanced pharmacology within the curriculum or as a separate course; or verification of current national certification as a clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/mental health from the American Nurses Credentialing Center and evidence of advance pharmacology.

   2. (b) Beginning January 1, 1999, an applicant requesting initial authority to practice as a clinical nurse specialist, psychiatric/mental health must submit the following:

      1. 1. Evidence of current licensure as a registered professional nurse in a Georgia;
      2. 2. A completed Board application with required fee;
      3. 3. Official transcript which verifies a master's or higher degree in nursing with specialization in psychiatric/mental health nursing which includes a minimum of two (2) graduate courses in psychiatric/mental health nursing, supervised practice for each of the two (2) graduate courses and evidence of advanced pharmacology within the curriculum or as a separate course; and
      4. 4. Verification of current national certification as a clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/mental health from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

4. (4) Biennial renewal of Board Authorization to Practice as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Psychiatric/Mental Health:

   1. (a) The date for renewal of Board Authorization as a clinical nurse specialist, psychiatric/mental health, will coincide with the renewal of the registered professional nurse license.
   2. (b) Authorization to practice as a clinical nurse specialist, psychiatric/mental health, shall expire on January 31 of odd-numbered years and shall be administratively revoked if not renewed.

   3. (c) For continued authority to practice, the clinical nurse specialist, psychiatric/mental health, must submit:

      1. 1. A completed renewal application for advanced nursing practice;
      2. 2. A copy of current national certification as a clinical nurse specialist, psychiatric/mental health which bears the expiration date, if initial authorization was based on national certification; and
      3. 3. Payment of the renewal fee.
   4. (d) A renewal application, received with a postmark date after January 31 of odd numbered years, will be returned to the applicant. Thereafter, the applicant must apply to reinstate the authorization.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 43-1-4, 43-1-25, 43-26-2, 43-34-3 and 43-26-5.

History. Original Rule entitled "Rules for Clinical Nurse Specialists, Psychiatric/Mental Health" adopted. F. Aug. 24, 2015; eff. Sept. 13, 2015.