title: Nurse practitioner certification: benefits and drawbacks.
abstract: This article discusses the history of certification process and distinguishes and analyzes past and present uses of the certification process. It explores changes in the regulatory process and the impact on nurse licensure and evaluates past, present, and future uses of certification related to advanced practice, credentialing, and the scope of nursing practice.
authors.affiliation: American Nurses Credentialing Center, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: W Y
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Carson
mesh_terms: D002568:Certification / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008008:Licensure, Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States