Florida is a full-practice state, allowing NPs to establish independent practices, so long as they have signed an agreement with a supervising physician. The Florida Department of Health and the Nursing Board allow them to use their medical skills even in the absence of a doctor on site (Buppert, 2023). At the same time, prescription laws in the state are severe – an NP is now allowed to prescribe controlled substances under any circumstances.
Additional laws have been put in place to prevent the use of pre-signed forms when a physician is not present or the use of a physician’s DEA number to circumvent existing barriers (Buppert, 2023). Other limitations on practice include doctors’ inability to supervise nurses in a specialty at more than one location. NPs are also not allowed to sign death certificates.
To obtain a license in Florida, an individual must first complete their nursing education program. Then, they have to become a registered nurse and earn their post-secondary degree. After the educational credentials are in order, they need to obtain a license and become certified (Lasater et al., 2021). Licensing requires holding a Master of Science in Nursing, having a state-registered license, passing the national examination, and having sufficient clinical experience hours.
Florida is a full-practice state, and as such has fewer problems regarding access to primary care and the Emergency Department (ED). Independent practice by APNs improved patient access to healthcare while reducing costs, particularly in rural areas (Winters, 2021). The need for supervision still poses a few hurdles for practice, which can lead to longer wait times. Rural areas benefit most from full practice laws, as they enable nurses to work there and provide the necessary level of care (Winters, 2021). As such, minorities and older people have better chances of being treated compared to limited-practice states.
References
Buppert, C. (2023). Nurse practitioner’s business practice and legal guide. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Lasater, K. B., Sloane, D. M., McHugh, M. D., Porat‐Dahlerbruch, J., & Aiken, L. H. (2021). Changes in proportion of bachelor’s nurses associated with improvements in patient outcomes. Research in Nursing & Health, 44(5), 787-795.
Winters, C. A. (Ed.). (2021). Rural nursing: Concepts, theory, and practice. Springer Publishing Company.