APRN Board of Nursing Regulations
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APRN Board of Nursing Regulations
Katrina Elkins
Walden University
APRN Board of Nursing Regulations
While many countries have a nationalized healthcare system, the United States has bestowed healthcare delivery management to different states. In essence, each state can define its healthcare requirements based on the nature and circumstances available to its residents (Neff et al., 2018). That is, the federal government cannot interfere with the healthcare policies developed in each state; however, the policies by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) can be used to complement those developed at the state level. Notably, Neff et al. (2018) opine that for nursing regulations, states have individual state boards of nursing (BONs) that are responsible for setting standards required for safe and quality nursing care. These bodies are responsible for deciding the scope of practice for nurses within their jurisdictions and the qualifications requirements.
Texas State BON Regulations on APRNS Compared To Florida BON
Educational Requirements for Licensing
To be licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) in Texas, one must first behave a license as Registered Nurse (RN). However, on the educational front, where one is registered as an APRN in another state, the Board of Nursing requires that they meet the set educational requirements to be an APRN in Texas (Texas Board of Nursing, 2013a). As such, where one does not meet the educational requirements, they must register and take up such education and examination to qualify for licensure and registration as an APRN in Texas. For example, some of the educational requirements that must be fulfilled include Advanced Health Assessment Course, Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics course, among others. Therefore, before registering as an APRN in Texas, one must meet the required educational requirements.
Similarly, in Florida, there are educational requirements that any aspiring APRN applicant must meet before qualifying for licensure and registration. First, they must be licensed as Registered Nurses (RNs) in Florida, followed by completing a master’s or post-master Nurse Practitioner Program in Florida (NursingLicensure.org, 2020). Only after completing these courses can current students be required to register as APRNs in Florida.
Scope of Practice
APRN practice is considered dynamic by the Texas Board of Nursing hence the expansive nature of defining the nature of practice a registered APRN can perform. These are dependent on advanced practice education within a specialty and role, the legal implications, and scope of practice statements that have been published by national professionals in nursing organizations (Texas Board of Nursing, 2013b). As such, in Texas, an APRN’s practice is defined by their experience and specialty coupled with considerations of legal implications.
On the other hand, the Florida Board of Nursing recognizes that APRNs must be under a physician’s supervision to practice. This means they are not allowed to perform any other responsibility that falls outside their highlighted set of programs. However, the Board of Nursing is in the process of developing a manual that will guide the independent practice of APRNs.
How Do the Regulations Apply To APRNS with Legal Authority to Practice?
In the case of educational requirements, all APRNs with the legal authority to practice in their area of expertise will not have to continuously worry about meeting such regulations as their legal mandate is already protected. However, they must commit to renewing their licenses every two years in Texas and biannually in Florida. Further, when considering the scope of practice, APRNs in Texas are free to practice in their area of licensure even without the supervision of a physician; however, in Florida, physicians APRNs continuously work under physician supervision (Florida Board of Nursing, 2022).
References
Florida Board of Nursing. (2022). Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) – Licensing, Renewals & Information. https://floridasnursing.gov/renewals/advanced-practice-registered-nurse/
Neff, D. F., Yoon, S. H., Steiner, R. L., Bejleri, I., Bumbach, M. D., Everhart, D., & Harman, J. S. (2018). The impact of nurse practitioner regulations on population access to care. Nursing Outlook, 66(4), 379–385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2018.03.001
NursingLicensure.org. (2020, November 4). Florida ARNP requirements | How to become a nurse practitioner in FL. https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/florida-nurse-practitioner/
Texas Board of Nursing. (2013a). Licensure eligibility. https://www.bon.texas.gov/licensure_eligibility.asp.html
Texas Board of Nursing. (2013b). Practice – APRN scope of practice. https://www.bon.texas.gov/practice_scope_of_practice_aprn.asp.html#:~:text=in%20Disaster%20Areas-