WHAT IS A NURSE PRACTITIONER?
Nurse practitioners, also called certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs) or advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), have advanced graduate education with master’s degrees or doctorates, and are nationally certified in their population focus areas. Among their many services, NPs:
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Order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests;
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Diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, infections and injuries;
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Prescribe medications and other treatments;
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Manage a patient’s care.
More than 100 studies have proven that NPs provide safe, high-quality health care.
WHAT IS FULL PRACTICE AUTHORITY?
Currently, in order to practice in Pennsylvania, an NP must secure business contracts, called collaborative agreements, with two physicians. Researchers – including physicians and NPs alike – have proven that this mandate offers no patient health benefits. To the contrary, research shows that the mandate restricts access to care and correlates to worse patient health outcomes.
Senate Bill 25 would end this costly, arbitrary and outdated mandate and make Pennsylvania a Full Practice Authority state. Currently, 26 states and the District of Columbia are already using Full Practice Authority to expand access to care, especially for those in underserved rural areas and patients with Medicaid insurance.
Senate Bill 25 requires a Transition to Practice period. Each new NP must work three years and 3,600 hours in a clinical setting prior to earning Full Practice Authority as regulated by the State Board of Nursing.
"We need to allow nurse practitioners to help patients to the full extent of their knowledge and training."
-Senator Camera Bartolotta
Elected officials have the opportunity to ensure more people can access quality care by modernizing state law and allowing these highly trained professionals to serve patients to their fullest potential. Senate Bill 25 will make these important changes a reality.
PA CAN BE NEXT.
Full Practice Authority
NURSE PRACTITIONERS PUT PATIENTS FIRST.
Meet Dr. Amesh Adalja
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