Maryland is one of the states where the dependence on physicians was a widely discussed question among advanced practice registered nurses (APRN), and your experience submits the importance of that requirement. The decision to abolish the work under the control of senior professionals was beneficial for APRNs as it improved the quality of their services. For instance, in the COVID-19 pandemic, the shortage of physicians to be assigned for practitioners disrupted the healthcare organizations’ efficiency in the states where dependence still exists (Phillips, 2022). There is no full authority in New Jersey where I practice; however, our collaboration with the senior professional is rather formal. Consequently, Maryland’s APRNs work in the most beneficial conditions as their decision-making does not have to be submitted by physicians.
The programs provided in your practice setting support the continuing licensing are crucial for APRNs’ career development, and it is valuable that your organization offers credit options for education. I agree with your statement that “nurse practitioners can improve their knowledge and skill on evidence-based practices to enhance the quality of care they provide and improve patient outcomes.” Moreover, healthcare organizations take advantage of their highly skilled employees and increase the probability of receiving additional support from private investments of their beneficiaries. The APRN licensure update is crucial in New Jersey, and the renewal must be passed every two years (New Jersey Division Of Consumer Affairs, n. d.). Practitioners also must complete 30 contact hours of education provided by an organization approved by the board of nursing (New Jersey Division Of Consumer Affairs, n. d.). You correctly pointed out that the volume of skills and knowledge necessary to obtain by APRNs is considerable, and having sufficient and repeatable training is crucial for professional development.
The American healthcare governance is performed on federal and local levels, and the latter is represented by the states’ Boards of nursing. These organizations are essential for APRNs because they establish the licensing and education requirements for practice and employment within the selected jurisdiction. You also pointed out the role of Boards in ensuring the safety of workers and providing the opportunity to improve patient outcomes. The responsibility for identifying the criteria for education and scope is given to the state administration to efficiently address the local issues and adjust the professionals’ skillsets to specific needs (Markowitz & Adams 2022). You mentioned that in Florida, APRNs have a right to perform autonomously; however, they must comply with the General Standard of Practice. I agree with your statement that “standards of care cover care, skills, and treatment that are acceptable and appropriate based on APRN education standards.” Similar regulations exist in my state, New Jersey, yet I still have to make a formal collaboration with a physician to be licensed for work.
You also mentioned that the Affordable Care Act passage enabled more people to enroll in healthcare jobs and the Boards responsibility for establishing educational and practice scopes significantly increased. Laws to regulate the scope of practice is the autonomous responsibility in states; the general issues such as lack of funding for supporting continuous education and license update exist nationwide and require federal involvement (Chappell et al., 2021). Your description of Florida’s regulations reveals that different nursing specialists have unique license requirements, and prescribing authority has limited power. In New Jersey, assigning medication cannot be performed without the collaborative physician’s approval, and that formality frequently slows the treatment and worsens patient outcomes.
References
Chappell, K. B., Howard, M. S., Lundmark, V., & Ivory, C. (2021). Credentialing and certification: Overview, science, and impact on policy, regulation, and practice.International Nursing Review, 68(4), 551-556. Web.
Markowitz, S., & Adams, E. K. (2022). The effects of state scope of practice laws on the labor supply of advanced practice registered nurses. American Journal of Health Economics, 8(1). Web.
New Jersey Division Of Consumer Affairs. (n. d.). New Jersey Board of nursing: Advanced practice nurse certification. Web.
Phillips, S. J. (2022). 34th Annual APRN legislative update: Trends in APRN practice authority during the COVID-19 global pandemic. The Nurse Practitioner, 47(1), 21-47. Web.