Since 2014, states in the U.S have initiated transformative initiatives for the healthcare system. Systematic changes resulting from the Affordable Care Act and the expansion of primary care providers, most of the states in the U.S have seen the light and prompted the redefinition of the scope and role of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (Online FNP Programs, 2018). The aim of the redefinition is to ensure that the nurses take full responsibility and advantage of their capabilities. Florida is not one of the states that have expanded the scope and role of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.
Barring APRNs from full practice affects healthcare costs, access to care, quality of care, and the delivery of care. This has the potential to increase the cost of healthcare because a barred APRN will require to practice under supervision (NCSBN, 2019). It will also limit access to care because APRNs have been barred from practicing in an autonomous nature. The quality and delivery of care will be adversely affected because the APRNs will be limited in their roles.
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"Florida Consensus Model Discussion Post".
The implementation of the APRN consensus model stands to positively impact on my role as an APRN. The model affects my role as an APRN because it unites nursing programs, national certification organizations, and state boards of nursing in their definition of my role as an APRN. Thus, I will be subjected to the same standards throughout my education, practice, and application for certification. The consensus model has affected my specialty area because it has defined the specialty area in detail. Additionally, it has outlined the standards that are applicable to me in the specialty area. It has removed barriers to my role because it has outlined the regulatory requirements and standards in accreditation, licensure, education, and certification. Thus, I do not expect to operate in an environment that is characterized by changes in the regulatory requirements.
Florida has lagged behind compared to other states in the implementation of the APRN consensus model. In Florida, licensure laws and state practice restrict APRN scope of practice. The state requires a supervising physician for an APRN to provide healthcare to patients. Additionally, APRNs are restricted from providing prescriptions for controlled substances. Efforts to implement the APRN consensus model in Florida have been repeatedly blocked by different interest groups.
The four titles that are used for APRNs are nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and certified nurse midwives. It is important to note that none of these titles or roles is recognized in Florida. These titles are not recognized because Florida has not enacted legislation that recognizes APRNs (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2017). Licensure is a term that is widely used for APRN roles in Florida. In addition to this term, other terms that are widely used for APRN roles include certification, accreditation, and education. A graduate or post-graduate degree is required in Florida for a nurse to practice in an advanced practice role. However, they must have a strong background in the nursing profession and the graduate or post-graduate degree is considered as an additional qualification. Additionally, national certification is required in my state to practice in an advanced practice role. National certification from the relevant bodies is necessary for persons seeking to practice in an advanced practice role. It is vital to note that APRN roles do not allow for independent practice in Florida. Florida requires these professionals to practice under supervision.
If I were responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of the consensus model, the outcomes that signify that the model is working as intended are policy-based. In this case, the outcome will align the APRN regulations with elements of the model (American Nurses Credentialing Center, 2016). Thus, there will be statewide recognition of the four described roles and licensure of registered nurses as APRN in the four described roles. There will also be policies that outline independent practice and independent prescribing in addition to certification at advanced levels from an accredited program.
In Florida, there is a lack of state legislature regarding the APRN role. State laws in Florida restrict the scope of practice of APRNs. Additionally, state laws require these professionals to practice under the supervision of a physician. APRNs are also restricted from providing prescriptions for controlled substances. In 2015, a bill was introduced in the Florida Senate that sought to allow nurse practitioners to practice in the absence of a physician supervision. It is vital to note that this bill did not pass the legislative session (National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 2018).
Failure of this bill to pass the legislative session shows Florida legislature’s unwillingness to give APRNs the autonomy they need to practice and prescribe controlled substances. This places the state among the states that have restrictive laws in the country. Even though the bill did not succeed, it got considerable attention and support. It also demonstrated a solid step towards the advancement of the issue in Florida.
Barring APRNs from full practice affects healthcare costs, access to care, quality of care, and the delivery of care. This has the potential to increase the cost of healthcare because a barred APRN will require to practice under supervision. The implementation of the APRN consensus model stands to positively impact on my role as an APRN. The model affects my role as an APRN because it unites nursing programs, national certification organizations, and state boards of nursing in their definition of my role as an APRN. The four titles that are used for APRNs are nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and certified nurse midwives. It is important to note that none of these titles or roles is recognized in Florida.
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2017). National Certification Expectations for Entry-Level NPs, aanp.org, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, https://www.aanp.org/education/student-resource-center/starting-your-career/9-education/1060-certification-for-entry-level-nps
- American Nurses Credentialing Center. (2016). FAQ: Consensus Model for APRN Regulation. nursecredentialing.org, American Nurses Credentialing Center, https://www.nursingworld.org/certification/aprn-consensus-model/faq-consensus-model-for-aprn-regulation/
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2018). Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification & Education, ncsbn.org, National Council of State Boards of Nursing, https://www.ncsbn.org/Consensus_Model_for_APRN_Regulation_July_2008.pdf
- NCSBN. (2019). APRN Consensus model. Retrieved from https://www.ncsbn.org/aprn-consensus.htm
- Online FNP Programs. (2018). FAQ: what is the APRN consensus model and how does it impact APRN scope of practice. Retrieved from https://www.onlinefnpprograms.com/faqs/aprn-consensus-model/
