Purpose

Discuss barriers to practice as an APN in one’s state from both a state and national perspective.  Research methods to influence policy change from various forms of competition, state legislative and executive branches of government and interest groups.

Activity Learning Outcomes

Through this discussion, the student will demonstrate the ability to:

1. Discuss the history of policy development and policy making in nursing (CO1)
2. Examine different types of policy and their relationships to healthcare policy (CO1)
3. Explain current barriers to practice for advanced practice nurses (CO2)
4. Discuss health policy and methods of lifting barriers to practice (CO2)

Due Date: Wednesday by 11:59pm MT of Week 1

Initial responses to the discussion topic must be posted by Wednesday 11:59pm MT. Two additional posts to peers and/or faculty are due by Sunday at 11:59pm MT. The two posts in each individual discussion must be on separate days. Posting twice on two different days meets the minimum requirement however for full credit, the student must post at least three substantive posts on three different days. The student must provide an initial post to each graded discussion topic posted by the course instructor, by Wednesday, 11:59 p.m. MT of Week 1. Subsequent posts, including essential responses to peers, must occur no later than the Sunday, 11:59 p.m. MT at the end of Week 1. Students are expected to submit assignments by the time they are due. Threaded discussions are not considered assignments and are not part of the late assignment policy.

A 10% late penalty will be imposed for discussions posted after the deadline on Wednesday of week 1 by 11:59PM MST, regardless of the number of days late. NOTHING will be accepted after 11:59pm MT on Sunday (i.e. student will receive an automatic 0). Week 8 discussion closes on Saturday at 11:59pm MT.

Total Points Possible: 100

Requirements:

Using the readings from this week as well as outside reliable resources to:

1. Identify and describe practice barriers for APNs in your state and discuss these barriers on a state and national level.
2. Identify forms of competition on the state and national level that interfere with APN’s ability to practice independently.
3. Identify the specific lawmakers by name at the state level (i.e., key members of the state’s legislative branch and executive branch of government)
4. Discuss interest groups that exist at the state and national levels that influence APN policy.
5. Discuss methods used to influence change in policy in forms of competition, state legislative and executive branches of government and interest groups.

Solution:

Identify and describe practice barriers for APNs in your state and discuss these barriers on a state and national level

 One of the key barriers that hinder APN’s practice in my State New Jersey is the reduced scope of practice. Nurse practitioners are required to have a collaboration and a joint protocol with a physician when prescribing medication (Scopeofpracticepolicy.org, 2020). Even though studies have reported that full practice authority can help in meeting the increasing demands of primary care providers, keeping the healthcare cost down while providing quality care, NJ remains among the few states that do not grant the APNs full practice authority (Woo et al., 2017). The joint protocol outlines the nature of the practice, rules about consultation more so when prescribing controlled substances as well as specific information for refills, and the requirement for recording information.  Besides, Buppert (2017) noted that federals laws such as limiting reimbursement of the nurse practitioners that do not have a joint protocol with physician limits act as a barrier to APNs practice.