Response – Scope of Practice and Level of Independence for Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in Florida

Response – Scope of Practice and Level of Independence for Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in Florida

Responding to William

Hello,

Your discussion on the scope of practice and level of independence for nurse practitioners (NPs) in Florida provides a comprehensive overview of the current regulatory environment. I appreciate your highlighting the importance of Standardized Procedure Guidelines (SPGs) in ensuring consistent and high-quality care while balancing NP autonomy with necessary oversight. The examples you provided, such as managing chronic conditions, effectively illustrate how SPGs guide practice within a structured framework, ensuring NPs operate within a clearly defined scope.

Nonetheless, one has to think about how these sorts of restrictions might have adverse effects. As I noted, with NPs having to work under SPGs, there will be utilization of the emergency department for primary care, which will lead to congestion and long hours of waiting. It then becomes a major issue of worry how such regulations would further complicate timely access to care in already under-served centers, which arguably are reeling under inadequate healthcare infrastructure. Based on Darraj et al. (2023), those states with limited NP practice authority reported increased patient dissatisfaction, which may lead to an increased delay in health that is financially prejudicial for vulnerable patients, hence worsening current healthcare inequalities. The limitations set by SPGs might not only affect patients’ perception of care but also potentially hinder the provision of that care, especially where NPs might be able to practice autonomously.

Moreover, despite the fact that SPGs resulted in patient safety profile enhancement, these guidelines might also restrict the NPs’ practice fulfillment of their educational preparation level. Allowing NPs to practice at full capacity, as recommended in some states, could increase healthcare access and quality, especially in areas with a shortage of physicians (DePriest et al., 2020). This point of view implies that SPGs play a crucial role but may indicate the possibility of revisiting the degree of governmental intervention and nonprofit organizations’ self-governance to optimize the assistance provision for the patient population and fully unleash the NPs’ potential in healthcare distribution.

 References

Darraj, A., Hudays, A., Hazazi, A., Hobani, A., & Alghamdi, A. (2023). The Association between Emergency Department Overcrowding and Delay in Treatment: A Systematic Review. Healthcare, 11(3), 385. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11030385

DePriest, K., D’Aoust, R., Samuel, L., Commodore-Mensah, Y., Hanson, G., & Slade, E. P. (2020). Nurse practitioners’ workforce outcomes under the implementation of full practice authority. Nursing Outlook, 68(4), 459–467. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2020.05.008

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Respond to William

Hello

Scope of Practice and Level of Independence

The state of interest for this discussion is Florida where nurse practitioners (NP) operate under a defined scope of practice regulated by the state. It is a requirement that NPs in Florida should adhere to Standardized Procedure Guidelines which outline the parameters within which the practice should be conducted (Cesco-Cancian and Crofoot, 2023). As opposed to some states where NPs have full autonomy, Florida requires the NPs to work under these guidelines developed in collaboration with health organizations. The SPGS helps NPs practice within a structured framework detailing procedures, protocols and specific limitations. The approach aims at providing consistent and high-quality care while at the same time balancing the autonomy of NPs with the oversight to ensure safety of the patient.

Scope of Practice and Level of Independence for Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in Florida

Standardized Procedure Guidelines (SPGs)

The Florida SPGs are important in defining the scope of NP practice. They are collaboratively developed by the NPs and supervised by physicians and healthcare organizations by outlining procedures and outlines that the NP should follow (Weismann et al., 2020). For instance, an SPG may include a detailed protocol for managing chronic conditions including cancer, diabetes, and stroke where it specifies the procedures for patient assessment, medication management, education of the patient, and follow-up care. The guidelines aim to ensure that the NPs operate within a clearly defined scope and refer or consult with physicians when necessary hence maintaining high standards or care and ensuring patients’ safety.

Prescribing Authority and Limitations

In Florida, the NPs have the authority to prescribe medications including those that control substances. However, they must do so within the confines of their SPGs. This implies that even though they can prescribe a broad range of medications including those that are regulated under the controlled substances laws, they should follow specified guidelines and maintain prescriptive authority agreements with the supervising physicians (Cesco-Cancian and Crofoot, 2023). This helps in ensuring that the NPs practice within a regulated framework, balancing their prescribing authority with the need for physical oversight in certain areas.

Licensure Process and Requirements

As an NPO in Florida, in order to get licensure, one is required to meet specific education and certification requirements. This includes a Master’s degree or higher in nursing from an accredited institution and obtains a national certification from a recognized certifying body in their specialty area (Weismann et al., 2020). The licensure process includes submitting an application to the Florida Board of Nursing, provide a proof of education and certification, undergoing a criminal background check and pay the required fees. This process aims at ensuring that the NPs are qualified and meet the State’s standards for professional practice.

Impact of Practice Restrictions on Patient Care

Within the states that has restricted or reduced NP practice like Florida, the limitations are likely to have a significant impact on patient care. For example, NP requirement to work under SPGs often leads to increased use of emergency departments for primary care needs hence contributing to overcrowding and longer wait times (Cesco-Cancian and Crofoot, 2023). In some areas, urgent care clinics may help alleviate some of this pressure, however, the accessibility and availability of these services can vary. Further, limited NP autonomy can also result in reduced access to primary care hence leading to delays in care and potentially poorer health outcomes for patients.

Impact of Full Practice Authority

States that has full practice authority for NP experience different kind of impact on patient care. In the event that the NPs can practice independently, then they can contribute to improved access to healthcare services more so in underserved or rural areas. This kind of independence practice results in reduced wait times for appointments and decreases the strain on other healthcare facilities (Cesco-Cancian and Crofoot, 2023). By being able to offer comprehensive primary care, manage chronic conditions, and offer preventive services, then the NPs are able to bridge the gaps in healthcare delivery hence leading to better overall patient outcomes and enhanced access to necessary care.

Impact on Healthcare Disparities

The ability of the NPs to practice with the full authority can greatly reduce the healthcare disparities. Looking at communities where NPs have independent practice rights, there is a better access to healthcare services more so in underserved populations. This kind of increased access helps to address the gaps in care and can equally improve the health outcomes by providing preventive services and managing chronic conditions in an effective manner (Weismann et al., 2020). In Florida, where practice is regulated but not fully autonomous, the presence of NPs still helps to mitigate disparities, but the impact may be limited by the requirements for supervision and collaboration. Overall, the presence and autonomy of NPs play a crucial role in enhancing healthcare access and reducing disparities across different regions.

References

Cesco-Cancian, M., & Crofoot, T. (2023). Evidence-Based Educational Modules on the Safe Delivery of Anesthesia in MRI Suites.

Weismann, M., Ganske, S., & Delgado, O. (2020). Cleveland Clinic Florida “pay-for performance” reimbursement: why the best care does not always make the happiest patients. The CASE Journal, 16(5), 625-663.