NR 506 Week 6 NP Scope of Practice

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Chamberlain University

NR-506: Healthcare Policy

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Date

Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice in Florida

In Florida, nurse practitioners (NPs) practice under restricted regulations, which means they must operate under the supervision of a physician or another licensed healthcare provider to deliver patient care (American Association of Nurse Practitioners [AANP], 2020). However, legislative advancements have recently expanded NP autonomy. In 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill allowing experienced NPs—those who have completed at least 3,000 hours of supervised practice—to practice independently without direct physician oversight (Thomas, 2020).

This policy change marks an important milestone in addressing healthcare shortages and promoting access to quality care, especially in rural and underserved areas.

Prescribing Authorities

In Florida, NPs have the authority to prescribe controlled substances; however, this authority remains linked to physician supervision. NPs must maintain a written collaborative agreement with a supervising physician to ensure accountability and compliance with state laws.

Table 1

Nurse Practitioner Prescriptive Authority in Florida

(American Medical Association [AMA], 2017)

This structured prescribing framework aims to balance patient safety with the need to expand the NP’s role in healthcare delivery.

Limitations of Practice

Despite certification, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in Florida must maintain a protocol agreement with a supervising physician. This document defines clinical duties such as diagnosing, interpreting diagnostic tests, and creating treatment plans.

The supervising physician is not required to be physically present, but must remain available by phone for consultations when needed. Although such restrictions persist, Florida law does recognize NPs as primary care providers, underscoring their vital role in meeting healthcare demands, particularly in underserved regions (Scope of Practice Policy, 2020).

Process for Obtaining Licensure in Florida

To practice as an NP in Florida, individuals must first hold an active registered nursing (RN) license and obtain national certification from an approved specialty board. This process involves advanced education, clinical experience, application submission, and the successful completion of a national certification examination.

Additional Licensure Requirements

• Fingerprinting and background checks

• Completion of a two-hour course on the prevention of medical errors

• Proof of liability insurance coverage
  (NursingLicensure.org, 2020)

These requirements ensure that all NPs meet professional and ethical standards prior to independent or supervised practice.

Certification and Education Requirements

The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) established nine core competencies that all NPs must master upon completion of their advanced practice programs. These competencies provide a foundation for safe, evidence-based, and independent clinical practice.

Table 2

NONPF Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies

(National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties [NONPF], 2012)

By emphasizing these competencies, NP education aligns with national standards that uphold the quality and safety of patient care across diverse healthcare environments.

NP Barriers

Although NPs in Florida provide high-quality and cost-effective care comparable to physicians, they continue to face regulatory barriers that limit their scope of practice. There are approximately 18,000 NPs in Florida, with an additional 300–500 graduates entering the workforce each year (Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners [FLANP], 2020).

If NPs were permitted to practice to the full extent of their training, they could reduce healthcare costs and increase access for underserved populations. Current restrictions, however, disproportionately impact Medicaid recipients and rural residents, where physician shortages are most severe. As a result, these barriers not only restrict access but also increase healthcare costs and limit primary care availability (FLANP, 2020).

How Does Access to NPs Impact Healthcare Disparities?

Access to nurse practitioners plays a crucial role in reducing healthcare disparities by improving access to affordable, timely, and comprehensive care. Millions of Americans experience healthcare gaps due to geographic, financial, or insurance-related barriers.

NPs help bridge these gaps by offering preventive care, chronic disease management, and health education in underserved communities. Their presence alleviates pressure on emergency and specialty services, contributing to improved population health and reduced disparities in healthcare delivery.

References

American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2020). State practice environment: Florida. AANP. Retrieved from https://www.aanp.org

American Medical Association. (2017). State law chart: Nurse Practitioner Prescriptive Authority. AMA. Retrieved from https://www.ama-assn.org/sites/ama-assn.org/files/corp/media-browser/specialty%20group/arc/ama-chart-np-prescriptive-authority.pdf

Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2020). The advanced practice nurse solution. FLANP. Retrieved from https://www.flanp.org/page/TheAPRNSolution

National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. (2012). Nurse practitioner core competencies. Retrieved from https://www.nursepractitionerschools.com/faq/what-are-the-np-core-competencies/

NR 506 Week 6 NP Scope of Practice

NursingLicensure.org. (2020). Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner requirements in Florida. Retrieved from https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/florida-nurse-practitioner.html

Scope of Practice Policy. (2020). Florida scope of practice policy: State profile. Retrieved from http://scopeofpracticepolicy.org/states/fl/

Thomas, K. (2020). Florida nurse practitioners gain full practice authority. Daily Nurse: The Pulse of Nursing. Retrieved from https://dailynurse.com/florida-grants-advanced-nps-full-practice-authority/