Scope of Practice question

[AlanaWCU]

Hi everyone,

So I have a question...

I am an Adult Nurse Practitioner and was told by one hospital in Maryland that since I am not an Acute Care NP, I would only be able to work in the outpatient setting (such as a clinic) and not with inpatients since they consider all of their inpatients as "acute" regardless of whether they're in the ICU, med/surg, etc.

Now, is this standard across the board with every hospital in the United States? Or can it differ with each hospital or each state?

Thanks!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

It differs. In some states (TX comes to mind) FNPs (for instance) can't see inpts. I live in IL and there is no difference.

[sandnnw, BSN, MSN, EMT-B, APRN]

TN, no difference. In my case, my supervising MD and I "collaborate" on what I can/want to do. In his opinion, I'm a partner to all the MDs/PAs/NPs and am able to do whatever I am comfortable with. I tend to be rather conservative and have no problem telling anyone, "can I watch and learn?" before trying procedures and such. He tends to push me like a father to son to do even more. I am very lucky to have such wonderful support and well rounded folks around me.

I know what you are going through. I've been told "no" before, many times, had the door shut, no slammed, in my face. Don't look back, move on. You'll find a home and don't let anyone tell you, "you're limited."

I'm hopefully going to be transitioning from an Urgent Care to ED shortly. You have to sell/market yourself. If the state is the problem, you only have two options, move (!) or post masters ACNP. If I get my ED job, I'm going back for a DNP/ACNP. My next step? Dual-role graduate faculty. Dream big!!!

Best of luck!