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In Alaska, advanced practice nurses hold dual credentials – RN and advanced practice approval.
The Alaska Board of Nursing recognized two categories of advanced practice nurses:
- Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP)
- Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
However, the ANP title may be used for other roles with advanced education such as nurse-midwife.
CRNAs and ANPs need to be certified by nationally-recognized organizations to be permanently authorized.
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Advanced Nurse Practitioner Educational Requirements in Alaska
Aspiring APNs in Alaska need to complete an advanced nursing education program of master’s level or higher.
Additionally, the program needs to be properly accredited.
The Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) are suitable organizations for program accreditation.
Also, a nurse needs to complete a program that is at least one year long and has 500 hours of clinical practice.
Advanced practice nurses in Alaska can have one or more population foci.
The specialty areas based on population available in Alaska are:
- Family
- Pediatric
- Adult
- Geriatric
- Neonatal
- Women’s health
- Adult/ geriatric
- Family care/ individuals across the lifespan
- Acute/ emergency care
- Family psychiatric/ mental health
- Adult psychiatric/ mental health
Additionally, the educational program needs to include a minimum of three semester hours in coursework in pathophysiology, physical assessment, and pharmacotherapeutics.
However, nurses who completed their education in the past are held to different requirements.
For example, nurse practitioners who graduated before 1998, doesn’t have the mentioned coursework requirements.
Also, nurses who were enrolled in out-of-state nursing education programs and completed a preceptorship in Alaska may be authorized.
Therefore, they are presented with opportunities to obtain the required clinical experience.
All application forms are available for download on the Alaska Board of Nursing website.
Nurse midwives, and neonatal and women’s health nurse practitioners who graduated before 2006 are eligible for earning advanced credentials due to their certificate.
The same applies for nurse practitioners with other population focus who completed their studies before 2003.
Likewise, nurse anesthetists who completed their education before 2001 can be authorized due to their certifications.
NP Certification Requirements
Nurses need to pursue their advanced certification through nationally approved credentialing agencies.
There are several certifying organizations and each issue different certificates.
Therefore, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American Nurses Credentialing Center certify Family nurse practitioners.
Adult nurse practitioners are to be certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners or the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
The National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses, as well as the American Nurses Credentialing Center, are in charge of certifying pediatric nurse practitioners.
The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American Nurses Credentialing Center certify gerontological nurse practitioners.
Next, acute care certification is available at the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
The National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing Specialties (NCC) certify women’s health and neonatal nurse practitioners.
Additionally, neonatal nurse practitioners may be certified through Neonatal Nursing Specialties (NCC)
Family psychiatric/ mental health nurse practitioners are certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Lastly, adult psychiatric/mental health certification, get their certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Also, the American Midwifery Certification Board and the American College of Nurse-Midwives are in charge of nurse-midwives certification.
Nurse anesthetists earn their initial certification by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists.
Further, they renew their licenses through the National Board on Certification & Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists.
Prescriptive Authority in Alaska
The requirements for prescriptive authority in Alaska include 15 hours of pharmacology and drug management coursework.
There are also ongoing education requirements, thus a nurse needs to complete 24 hours of relevant education during each renewal cycle – pharmacotherapeutics and clinical patient management.
Nonrenewable Permits
The nurses with RN licenses who have met the examination prerequisites can be granted the temporary permit.
It allows them to practice pending examination, and the permit becomes invalid if a nurse fails the examination.
Application Process
Application forms are available for download on the Alaska Department of commerce, community, and economic development website.
The required documentation includes graduate transcripts and copies of coursework required for prescriptive authority.
Nurses who are in the examination process, need to show proof of examination scheduled.
The application fee is $50, while APNs pay $60 for initial authorization and an additional $50 for prescriptive authority.
The temporary permit also has a fee of $50.
Out-of-state Nurses
Those who completed programs in other states may be authorized in Alaska but only if the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools evaluates his or her credentials as satisfying.
English language proficiency is also a requirement, for foreign nurses whose first language isn’t English.
Renewal Requirements
ANPs in Alaska need to renew their authorizations every two years.
The renewal requirements include 30 contact hours of continuing education or other requirements set by the certifying agency.
CRNAs will need to demonstrate national certification to renew their authorizations.
Schools
Aspiring APNs in Alaska have one in-state school with proper advanced nursing programs.
It is the University of Alaska Anchorage with two graduate certificate programs and two MSN programs.
The specialization tracks available are a Family nurse practitioner and Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| University of Alaska Anchorage | 3211 Providence Drive Anchorage, AK 99508, (907) 786-4406 |
Salary
An average annual salary of a nurse practitioner in Alaska is $122.672.
Salary depends on education level, experience, certifications, city, and healthcare facility.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Anchorage | $121,819 |
| Juneau | $120,626 |
| Fairbanks | $121,600 |
| Sitka | $118,985 |
| Ketchikan | $118,985 |
| Kenai | $120,177 |
| Kodiak | $120,177 |
| Bethel | $120,177 |
| Wasilla | $120,177 |
| Barrow | $119,959 |
Regional Salary in Alaska
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | 370 | $124,270 | $59.74 | $178,800 | $70,100 |
| Fairbanks, AK | 60 | $125,530 | $60.35 | $214,660 | $55,100 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Nurse Practitioner by State