Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are graduate-educated, nationally-certified and state licensed advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who care for medically stable patients across the lifespan, from infants to geriatric patients. Share your thoughts Discuss at least 3 regulations impose in APRN in the state of Florida and would you like to change and what process will you use to do it?. APA guideline less than 15% similarity

Introduction

Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) play a vital role in providing comprehensive healthcare to patients of all ages. These advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are highly educated and possess national certification and state licensure. However, the practice of FNPs is subject to various regulations imposed by the state of Florida. This paper will discuss at least three regulations that are currently in place for APRNs in Florida and analyze whether any changes are necessary. Additionally, the process that would be employed to initiate regulatory changes will be explored.

Regulations on APRNs in Florida

1. Collaborative Practice Agreement Requirement: In Florida, one key regulation for APRNs is the requirement for a collaborative practice agreement (CPA) with a supervising physician. This agreement outlines the parameters in which an APRN can practice and requires regular collaboration and oversight by a physician. While this regulation aims to ensure patient safety and provide a structured framework for the practice of APRNs, it can be argued that it imposes unnecessary restrictions on the autonomy and capabilities of FNPs.

2. Restricted Prescriptive Authority: Florida imposes limitations on the prescriptive authority of APRNs. FNPs are required to obtain a separate DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) license to prescribe controlled substances, and there are also restrictions on the authority to prescribe certain medications. This regulation hinders the ability of FNPs to fully utilize their expertise and provide comprehensive care to their patients. It may result in fragmented care and delays in the delivery of necessary medications.

3. Limited Practice Settings: Another regulation in Florida restricts the practice settings in which an APRN can provide care. While FNPs are trained to provide care in a variety of settings, including primary care clinics, hospitals, and specialized clinics, some settings limit the extent to which APRNs can practice independently. This can lead to inefficient utilization of resources and may hinder timely access to healthcare services in certain areas.

Proposed changes and the process of implementation

To address the discussed regulations, several changes can be proposed to promote the full scope of practice for FNPs in Florida. These changes would aim to enhance patient care outcomes, increase access to healthcare services, and align APRN practice regulations with national standards. The following process can be employed to implement these changes:

1. Conducting a Comprehensive Literature Review: To support the proposed changes, an extensive literature review should be conducted to gather evidence on the impact of current regulations on patient care outcomes, healthcare costs, and access to services. The review should also include national standards and guidelines for APRN practice to provide a benchmark for proposed changes.

2. Building Collaborative Relationships: Engaging key stakeholders, such as APRN professional organizations, state nursing boards, physician groups, and legislators, is crucial to build collaborative relationships and gain support for the proposed changes. Open dialogue and collaboration can bridge any gaps in understanding and foster a shared vision of optimizing APRN practice in Florida.

3. Crafting a Legislative Proposal: Based on the evidence obtained from the literature review and in collaboration with stakeholders, a well-crafted legislative proposal should be developed. The proposal should clearly outline the proposed changes to regulations and articulate the rationale behind these changes. Including supporting evidence and examples from other states where similar regulatory changes have been implemented successfully can strengthen the proposal’s persuasiveness.

4. Advocacy and Lobbying Efforts: Once the legislative proposal is developed, advocacy and lobbying efforts should be initiated to garner support from key decision-makers. This can include engaging in discussions with policymakers, presenting the proposal at committee hearings, and coordinating grassroots campaigns to raise awareness among the public and healthcare community.

5. Monitoring and Evaluation: After the proposed changes are implemented, a robust monitoring and evaluation process should be established to assess the impact of these changes on patient outcomes, access to care, and healthcare costs. This ongoing assessment will help determine the effectiveness of the regulatory changes and identify areas for further improvement.

Conclusion

Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) play a vital role in providing primary healthcare services to patients across the lifespan. In Florida, the practice of these advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) is subject to various regulations. While some of these regulations aim to ensure patient safety, they may impose unnecessary restrictions on the autonomy and capabilities of FNPs. Therefore, it is important to advocate for changes to these regulations to optimize APRN practice, enhance patient care outcomes, and increase access to healthcare services. The proposed process outlined in this paper, including comprehensive literature review, building collaborative relationships, crafting a legislative proposal, advocacy and lobbying efforts, and monitoring and evaluation, can be utilized to implement these changes effectively.