APRN Regulations Paper

APRN Regulations Paper

 

Key APRN Regulations in Texas

The nursing practice by Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in my state, Texas is regulated by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). The Texas BON provides licensures, regulates the scope of practice, and puts into practice regulations and laws into action in Texas. Key regulations in Texas include but are not limited to the restricted practice authority for APRNs and interim approval regulations (Texas Board of Nursing, n.d.). These regulations are similar in some states but different in other states. In Arizona, the Arizona board of nursing regulates the nursing practice for advanced practice registered nurses. Contrary to the practice in my state, Texas, the APRNs have full practice authority in Arizona (Arizona Board of Nursing, 2020). They do not require physician supervision to diagnose, prescribe and treat patients. APRNs in Arizona can start up their independent practice. The Arizona board of nursing also allows for a provision of temporary approval for APRNs (Arizona State Board of Nursing, 2018). However, the period to acquire the licensure and certification of certification is longer in Arizona (between six and eight weeks) as compared with the duration in Texas (up to 30 days).

The aforementioned two key regulations will impact an APRN relocating from a state with full practice authority. Their scope of practice will be restricted while practicing in Texas. For example, a clinical nurse specialist will be required to collaborate with a supervising physician to prescribe medications ad devices for their patients (American Nurses Association, n.d.). This will limit their freedom to practice to the full extent of their education and training. To overcome this limitation, the APRN can team up with physicians in private and public practice to provide their services. Participating in legislative processes to change these limitations at the state level will be a viable option for APRNs. In other settings, the practice of full practice authority has improved care delivery efficacy and outcomes (De Bruijn-Geraets et al., 2018).

References

American Nurses Association. (n.d.). APRN State law and regulation. ANA. Retrieved March 27, 2022, from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/state/aprn-state-law-and-regulation/

Arizona Board of Nursing. (2020, July 24). Arizona board of nursing scope of practice APRN questions & answers SCOPE OF PRACTICE nurse practitioners. Azbn.Gov. https://www.azbn.gov/sites/default/files/2020-11/FAQs%20Final%20Questions-%20NP%207.24.20%20%281%29.pdf

Arizona State Board of Nursing. (2018). Advanced practice FAQs. Azbn.Gov. https://www.azbn.gov/licenses-and-certifications/advanced-practice-faqs

De Bruijn-Geraets, D. P., van Eijk-Hustings, Y. J. L., Bessems-Beks, M. C. M., Essers, B. A. B., Dirksen, C. D., & Vrijhoef, H. J. M. (2018). National mixed-methods evaluation of the effects of removing legal barriers to full practice authority of Dutch nurse practitioners and physician assistants. BMJ Open, 8(6), e019962. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019962

Texas Board of Nursing. (n.d.). Practice – APRN Scope of Practice. Texas.Gov. Retrieved March 27, 2022, from https://www.bon.texas.gov/practice_scope_of_practice_aprn.asp

Boards of Nursing (BONs) exist in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands. Similar entities may also exist for different regions. The mission of BONs is the protection of the public through the regulation of nursing practice. BONs put into practice state/region regulations for nurses that, among other things, lay out the requirements for licensure and define the scope of nursing practice in that state/region.

It can be a valuable exercise to compare regulations among various state/regional boards of nursing. Doing so can help share insights that could be useful should there be future changes in a state/region. In addition, nurses may find the need to be licensed in multiple states or regions.

To Prepare:

Review the Resources and reflect on the mission of state/regional boards of nursing as the protection of the public through the regulation of nursing practice.
Consider how key regulations may impact nursing practice.
Review key regulations for nursing practice of your state’s/region’s board of nursing and those of at least one other state/region and select at least two APRN regulations to focus on for this Discussion..