An ongoing challenge for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) has been changing state legislation that allows APRNs to practice to the fullest extent to which they were academically prepared. Fo
An ongoing challenge for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) has been changing state legislation that allows APRNs to practice to the fullest extent to which they were academically prepared. For this discussion question, contact the Board of Nursing (BON) in your state or access your BON online. Examine laws that govern APRNs in your state. Consider the following: do APRNs in your state have prescriptive authority; is there legislation in place that allows them to practice autonomously; and finally, if a bill has been passed and adopted, which legislator introduced the bill and who were the strongest advocates for the bill? Then post an initial response that addresses the following:
Explain how the lack of autonomy for APRNs impact patients in rural populations? As a health care professional in an advocacy role, what resources could you utilize to guide you in changing policies that impact APRNS in your state? Include in your discussion the type of stakeholders and collaborative partners you would seek to guide or assist you on this cause.order
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The advancement of nursing practice and the role of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) have been widely recognized in the healthcare system. However, some state legislations limit the scope of practice for APRNs, which affects their ability to provide quality care to patients. In this discussion, we will examine the laws governing APRNs in different states and explore the impact of the lack of autonomy for APRNs on patients in rural populations. Additionally, we will discuss the resources and stakeholders that healthcare professionals can utilize to advocate for changes in policies affecting APRNs in their states.
Answer:
The lack of autonomy for APRNs in rural populations has a significant impact on the quality of care delivered to patients. These populations are often underserved and have limited access to healthcare services. APRNs have the education and skills required to provide primary care services to patients in these populations but are limited in their scope of practice by state laws.
The restriction of APRNs’ autonomy leads to delayed diagnosis and treatment, resulting in poor health outcomes for patients. Patients may have to wait longer for an appointment with a physician, which increases their risk of developing complications or conditions that require emergency care. Additionally, patients may have to travel long distances to access healthcare services, which can be costly and inconvenient.
As healthcare professionals in an advocacy role, we can utilize various resources to guide us in changing policies that affect APRNs in our states. We can use the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) as resources to gather information on the laws and regulations affecting APRNs in different states.
We can also seek collaboration with stakeholders such as patient advocacy groups, healthcare organizations, and legislators. These stakeholders can provide support and help us advocate for changes in policies affecting APRNs. We can work together to identify the legislators who introduced the bill and the strongest advocates for the bill to ensure that we have their support in pushing for these changes. In summary, utilizing resources and collaborative partnerships can help us advocate for changes in policies that impact APRNs to improve access to quality care for patients.
