PA003 Regulation

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NURS 6050 Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health

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Differences Between a Board of Nursing and Professional Nurse Associations

A Board of Nursing (BON) functions as an executive-branch state government agency vested with the authority to enforce extant laws and regulations governing nursing practice, aimed at safeguarding public welfare (Short & Loversidge, 2019; National Council State Board of Nursing, Inc., 2022). The primary objective of a Board of Nursing is to ensure public health and safety by ensuring that all nurses are duly licensed and capable of delivering safe and competent nursing care (Nursing regulation, 2022).

Professional Nurse Associations vs. Board of Nursing

Distinguished from Boards of Nursing, professional nursing associations are private organizations that require membership dues for access to benefits. For instance, the American Nurses Association operates as a professional nursing association advocating for nurses in the profession (American Nurses Association, 2021). The composition of a Board of Nursing, such as the Florida Board of Nursing (FBON), typically includes appointees by the Governor, with diverse representation, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, laypersons, and individuals over 60 years old (Toney-Butler & Martin, 2021).

Medical Necessity: A Federal Regulation of Healthcare

Medical necessity, as defined by Medicare, encompasses services or items deemed reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illnesses or injuries, or for improving the function of malformed body parts (CMS, 2021; Verhovshek, 2019). Compliance with medical necessity regulations can significantly impact healthcare delivery, potentially causing delays in treatment due to stringent diagnosis requirements and insurer pre-approval processes.

Regulation of Registered Nurses and Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioners in Florida

Registered Nurses (RNs) and Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioners (APRNs) in Florida are subject to the Nurses Practice Act, which governs nursing practice in the state (Florida Board of Nursing, 2022). RNs must graduate from a Florida-approved nursing school and pass the National Council Licensure Examination to obtain licensure, with renewal requiring completion of continuing education credits every two years (Florida Board of Nursing, 2022). APRNs, in addition to RN licensure, must obtain a Master’s of Nursing degree from an accredited Florida nursing school, pass a specialized certification exam, and accrue 3000 supervised hours before practicing independently (Florida Board of Nursing, 2022).

Impact of Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioners on Healthcare Delivery, Costs, and Access

In Florida, the increased involvement of APRNs, both independently and in collaboration with physicians, has facilitated enhanced healthcare access and reduced costs, particularly pertinent amid a growing elderly population (Cleveland et al., 2019). Utilizing APRNs more efficiently than physicians has the potential to generate significant cost savings for the state healthcare system, alleviating the strain posed by physician shortages and enhancing patient care efficiency.

References

American Nurses Association. (2021). American Nurses Association. ANA. Retrieved January 8, 2022, from https://www.nursingworld.org/ana/

Cleveland, K., Motter, T., & Smith, Y. (2019). Affordable care: Harnessing the power of Nurses. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 24(2). https://doi.org/10.3912/ojin.vol24no02man02

CMS. (2021). Home – Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CMS. Retrieved January 8, 2022, from https://www.cms.gov/

Florida Board of Nursing. (2022). Licensing and registration. Florida Board of Nursing. Retrieved January 8, 2022, from https://floridasnursing.gov/licensing/

NURS 6050 Assessment 3 PA003 Regulation

National Council State Board of Nursing, Inc. (2022). Nursing regulation. NCSBN. Retrieved January 8, 2022, from https://ncsbn.org/boards.htm

Short, N. M., & Loversidge, J. M. (2019). Chapter 4 Government Response: Regulation. In Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed., pp. 56– 84). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Toney-Butler, T. J., & Martin, R. L. (2021). Florida Nurse Practice Act Laws and Rules. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532859/

Verhovshek, J. V. J. (2019, April 5). Medical necessity: Why it matters, ways to demonstrate it. AAPC Knowledge Center. Retrieved January 8, 2022, from https://www.aapc.com/blog/46500-medical-necessity-why-it-mattersways-to-demonstrate-I it/#:~:text=Medicare%20defines %20%E2%80%9Cmedical%20necessity %E2%80%9D%20as%20services %20or%20items,of%20treating%20a%2 0patient%20is%20reasonable %20and%20necessary.

NURS 6050 Assessment 3 PA003 Regulation