Advocacy: Florida House Committee passes APRN power bill

[futureeastcoastNP]

http://health.wusf.usf.edu/post/nurse-power-bill-gets-its-start

If fully passed it would allow NPs to apply to be "Independent Advance Practice Registered Nurse" after some experience and work without physician collaboration.

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

Excellent news for APRNs! (I am sad to note that CNSs are not included however.) Let's hope that more of this moves forward.

[edmia, BSN, RN]

It is so encouraging to see a progressive bill from Florida! I guess critical mass is near on this issue. Woohoo!

[futureeastcoastNP]

Yeah and I love how they had an in debt med student speak to the committee using the logic that he wouldn't have gone to medical school if he could have done the same thing as a nurse.

Um...so the state of Florida should suffer from decreased access because you made a bad career choice? Sorry the world doesn't resolve around med students and physicians. It really shows what physicians REAL fears are - losing income to independent NPs.

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

So, I'm curious, a new grad has to have a collaborative agreement and be monitored for some number of hours, but then after that number they can practice on their own, is that what this bill is proposing? What are the requirements for the collaborative agreement? Can it be with a more senior NP?

[lhflanurseNP, APRN]

So, I'm curious, a new grad has to have a collaborative agreement and be monitored for some number of hours, but then after that number they can practice on their own, is that what this bill is proposing? What are the requirements for the collaborative agreement? Can it be with a more senior NP?

You are correct. The proposal if for a three year collaborative agreement then become independent.

[futureeastcoastNP]

You are correct. The proposal if for a three year collaborative agreement then become independent.

I agree with this. Even physicians aren't independent right out of school - they have to do a residency. It allows for supervised practice for 3-5 years before practicing alone. I think having the same sort of requirement for NPs is a good compromise, as NPs definitely benefit from a bit of supervised training before being independent, and it takes away from the whole "patient safety" argument that physicians harp on.

[edmia, BSN, RN]

Yes, and also complete independence would never pass. This is the best compromise in some states.

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

I agree with it too, but only if NPs can mentor the new NPs too.

[edmia, BSN, RN]

I agree with it too, but only if NPs can mentor the new NPs too.

Right?? Did you know in some states, the collaborative agreement states that the NP must be supervised by a licensed MD, DO, or DDS? That's right. A dentist can supervise an FNP. But not another NP! Oh no, they need a doctor to tell them what to do.

It's such a domineering and archaic rule.

[Nishacat03]

It is so encouraging to see a progressive bill from Florida! I guess critical mass is near on this issue. Woohoo!

I'm with you ;-)

[blusueNP, MSN, APRN]

That's quite a jump from not have prescriptive authority for schedule 2 drugs. It has to pass the senate too. In CA - it was passed by the senate but not the house, so there it sits. Don't hold your breath.