Michelle A. Beauchesne, DNSc, RN, CPNP
195 Barbara Rd
Waltham, MA 02453
M.Beauchesne@neu.edu

May 25, 2002

Jennifer Butlin, Executive Director
CCNE

Dear Jennifer,

Thank you for this opportunity to provide comments about the accreditation process. The Association of Faculties of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, (AFPNP) has long supported thorough and comprehensive review of nurse practitioner educational programs. We have enjoyed a unique relationship with the National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses (NCBPNP/N) for many years. The NCBPNP/N utilizes our faculty members in the review of PNP Programs, which is based on our document, Philosophy, Conceptual Model and Terminal Competencies for the Education of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. This model has successfully ensured quality PNP education for years.

In the last few years, the AFPNP has joined with several other advanced practice nursing organizations to address the need for consistency and quality in advanced practice education. The results of these efforts include the newly revised National Task Force Criteria for Evaluation of Quality NP Programs and the Core Competencies for Primary Care Nurse Practitioners. These documents reflect the results of a very collaborative and intense process focused on achieving high educational standards for NP education. Since we all share the goal of quality nursing educational programs, we are requesting that your accreditation body utilize these two major documents in conjunction with any specific specialization standards in the review of NP programs. Our association strongly recommends this practice in order to continue to ensure quality and excellence in education of all nurse practitioners.

Again, thank you for this opportunity. I look forward to future collaborations.

Sincerely,

Michelle A. Beauchesne