“Professional Roles and Responsibilities” 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 6. 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?. Purchase the answer to view it
Title: Professional Roles and Responsibilities of Family Nurse Practitioners in the State of Florida
Introduction:
Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) play a crucial role in delivering comprehensive healthcare services to diverse patient populations across the lifespan. As advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), FNPs are required to adhere to specific regulations and guidelines in their respective states to ensure the safe and effective provision of healthcare. This paper aims to discuss three key regulations imposed on APRNs in the state of Florida, and further evaluate the need for any potential changes to these regulations.
Regulation 1: Collaborative Practice Agreement (CPA):
One important regulation that affects the practice of APRNs, including FNPs, in Florida is the requirement of a collaborative practice agreement (CPA) with a supervising physician. According to the Florida Board of Nursing, a CPA is a written agreement that outlines the professional relationship between an APRN and a physician, which includes practice guidelines, protocols, and regular communication (Florida Board of Nursing, 2019). This regulation imposes limitations on the autonomy and independent practice of FNPs, as they must work in collaboration with a physician.
Implications and Proposed Change:
The requirement of a CPA for APRNs has been a topic of discussion for many years. Advocates argue that this regulation ensures patient safety and collaboration between healthcare providers. However, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that APRNs, including FNPs, can provide high-quality care and improve patient outcomes without the need for unnecessary supervision (Horrocks, Anderson, & Salisbury, 2002). Thus, there is a need to reevaluate this regulation and consider the potential benefits of removing the CPA requirement for FNPs.
To instigate a change in this regulation, a multi-step process should be adopted. First, it is important to gather evidence demonstrating the competence and autonomy of FNPs in delivering safe and effective healthcare without the need for mandated supervision. This may involve conducting research studies, literature reviews, and collecting data on patient outcomes and satisfaction. Once sufficient evidence is gathered, it should be disseminated to key stakeholders, including legislators, policymakers, and healthcare organizations, to raise awareness and promote change. Collaborative efforts with nursing associations, advocacy groups, and other APRN stakeholders can help ensure a unified voice in advocating for the removal of the CPA requirement for FNPs.
Regulation 2: Prescriptive Authority:
Another important regulation that affects the practice of FNPs in Florida is the state’s prescriptive authority guidelines. APRNs in Florida have limited prescribing privileges and are required to have a written protocol in place with a collaborating physician in order to prescribe certain medications (Florida Board of Nursing, 2019). This limitation can hinder FNPs’ ability to provide timely and efficient care, as they often need prompt prescription authority to manage acute and chronic conditions efficiently.
Implications and Proposed Change:
The current prescriptive authority guidelines in Florida restrict the full utilization of FNPs’ knowledge and skillset in medication management. Research has consistently demonstrated that APRNs have comparable prescribing practices to physicians and can effectively prescribe medications within their scope of practice (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2018). Hence, it is important to reevaluate these regulations and consider expanding FNPs’ prescriptive authority to improve access to care and enhance patient outcomes.
To bring about a change in this regulation, it is vital to collect evidence showcasing the safe and effective prescribing practices of FNPs. This evidence can be presented to the Florida Board of Nursing and other relevant regulatory bodies through proposed rule changes or legislative actions. Collaboration with nursing organizations, APRN coalitions, and key stakeholders in healthcare can help garner support and advocate for expanded prescriptive authority for FNPs.
Regulation 3: Full Practice Authority:
Florida currently does not grant full practice authority to APRNs, including FNPs. Full practice authority refers to the removal of the requirement for APRNs to collaborate with physicians, allowing them to practice independently to their full scope of practice (Florida Board of Nursing, 2019). This regulation restricts the ability of FNPs to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services to patients, particularly in underserved areas.
Implications and Proposed Change:
The limitation on full practice authority for FNPs not only hinders their ability to meet the growing demand for primary care but also restricts access to care, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Studies have shown that states with full practice authority for APRNs experience improved healthcare outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and increased patient satisfaction (Xue, Orton, & Lai, 2016). Hence, reconsidering this regulation is essential to ensure the efficient utilization of FNPs’ skills in meeting the healthcare needs of Floridians.
Bringing about a change in this regulation requires building a strong evidence base that supports the safe and effective independent practice of FNPs. Collaborative efforts with nursing organizations, advanced practice nursing associations, and other APRN stakeholders through policy advocacy, legislative actions, and public awareness campaigns can help drive change and promote the removal of restrictions on full practice authority.
Conclusion:
The regulations and guidelines imposed on FNPs in Florida significantly impact their practice and ability to meet the healthcare needs of patients across the lifespan. The discussion has highlighted three key regulations, including the collaborative practice agreement, prescriptive authority, and full practice authority, and provided insights into the implications these regulations have on FNP practice. The need for potential changes to these regulations has been discussed, and a multi-step process for advocating change has been proposed. By advocating for evidence-based regulatory changes, FNPs can contribute to enhanced patient access, improved healthcare outcomes, and the delivery of high-quality, comprehensive care across the state of Florida.