What must nurses obtain before practicing as a nurse practitioner in South Carolina?

To practice as a nurse practitioner in South Carolina, nurses must obtain a special certification and establish a collaborative agreement with a physician. This requirement ensures that nurse practitioners work collaboratively with physicians, which aligns with the state's regulations that govern advanced practice nursing.

The process typically includes formal education which prepares nurses for advanced clinical roles, and certification that validates their expertise in specific areas of practice. The collaborative agreement is crucial as it outlines the relationship between the nurse practitioner and the physician, detailing responsibilities and scope of practice, which promotes a team-based approach to patient care.

While a master's degree in nursing is often a step toward becoming a nurse practitioner, the pivotal factors for legal practice are the special certification and the collaborative agreement. Holding a nursing license alone is insufficient, as it does not encompass the specific requirements for advanced practice nursing in the state. Similarly, obtaining a license from the Board of Medical Examiners is not applicable, as nurse practitioners are regulated by the Board of Nursing in South Carolina.