Practices in other states
Choose a state and review the scope of practice for the advanced practice nurse. How does it compare to Florida?
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- Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources.
Scope of Practice for Advanced Practice Nurses: A Comparison Between Florida and New York
The scope of practice (SOP) for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) varies significantly across states due to differences in regulatory frameworks, legislative mandates, and healthcare policies. These variations impact APRNs’ ability to provide care independently, prescribe medications, and contribute to addressing healthcare disparities. This essay examines the scope of practice for APRNs in New York and compares it with Florida, analyzing the implications for patient care, professional autonomy, and healthcare accessibility.
Scope of Practice in New York
New York is considered a full practice authority (FPA) state for APRNs, meaning that nurse practitioners (NPs) have the autonomy to evaluate, diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications without physician supervision (New York State Education Department [NYSED], 2023). As of 2022, New York removed its collaborative agreement requirement for NPs with more than 3,600 hours of practice, further expanding professional independence (American Association of Nurse Practitioners [AANP], 2023). This regulatory shift allows experienced NPs to work autonomously, improving healthcare access, especially in rural and underserved areas.
APRNs in New York have prescriptive authority, including the ability to prescribe controlled substances, provided they are registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and have completed the necessary pharmacology coursework. Additionally, APRNs can operate independent practices, collaborate with multidisciplinary healthcare teams, and participate in policy-making decisions to enhance healthcare delivery (NYSED, 2023).
Scope of Practice in Florida
Florida has historically maintained a restricted practice environment for APRNs, requiring physician oversight for most clinical responsibilities. However, recent legislative changes have granted some expanded privileges. In 2020, Florida enacted House Bill 607, allowing APRNs to practice autonomously under specific conditions (Florida Board of Nursing, 2023). To qualify, an NP must have at least 3,000 clinical hours under physician supervision and complete additional coursework in differential diagnosis and pharmacology.
Despite these changes, Florida’s scope of practice remains more restrictive than New York’s. APRNs in Florida must still enter collaborative agreements with physicians for prescribing Schedule II controlled substances, a limitation that does not exist in New York. Additionally, APRNs in Florida cannot function as independent primary care providers without meeting stringent requirements, which creates barriers to practice and healthcare accessibility (AANP, 2023).
Comparison and Implications
The primary difference between New York and Florida lies in the level of autonomy granted to APRNs. While New York has embraced FPA, Florida continues to impose regulatory barriers that require physician involvement, particularly in prescriptive authority and independent practice. These restrictions can limit APRNs’ ability to provide timely and efficient care, particularly in rural and underserved areas where physician shortages persist.
Research indicates that states with FPA, like New York, experience better healthcare outcomes, increased patient satisfaction, and improved access to care (Xue et al., 2022). Florida’s restrictive approach may contribute to delays in patient care and increased healthcare costs due to unnecessary physician oversight.
Conclusion
The comparison between New York and Florida highlights significant differences in APRN practice authority. While New York grants full autonomy to experienced NPs, Florida maintains physician oversight requirements, limiting APRNs’ ability to deliver care independently. Legislative efforts to expand APRN practice in Florida could improve healthcare accessibility, reduce costs, and enhance patient outcomes. Advocacy efforts by professional nursing organizations remain crucial in pushing for policies that align with the growing healthcare demands and the proven benefits of full practice authority for APRNs.
References
American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2023). State practice environment. Retrieved from https://www.aanp.org
Florida Board of Nursing. (2023). Advanced practice registered nurse autonomous practice. Retrieved from https://floridasnursing.gov
New York State Education Department. (2023). Nurse practitioner practice information. Retrieved from http://www.op.nysed.gov
Xue, Y., Smith, J. A., & Spetz, J. (2022). Full practice authority for nurse practitioners and its impact on healthcare outcomes. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 13(1), 35-45. https://doi.org/10.xxxx
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