Impact of new regulatory standards on advanced practice registered nursing: the APRN Consensus Model and LACE.

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) represent a crucial resource to meeting growing health care needs. Such resources must be used to the full extent and in the most effective way possible. Through the development of the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification and Education (LACE), nursing is assuming a leadership role within the health care system and participating as an equal partner in redesigning health care. When fully implemented, the Consensus Model will allow APRNs to practice to the full scope of their education and more easily move from one state to another, increasing access to quality health care for all populations.