Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice
Ohio’s Board of Nursing outlines specific regulations that govern nurse practitioners’ scope of practice, roles, and responsibilities. The degree of independence is known as collaborative relationship in the state whereby nurse practitioners (NPs) work together with physicians. The written agreement between physicians and NPs is known as Standard Care Arrangement. The web-link to the state’s BON indicates that professionals who want to practice as NPs must complete a master’s or doctoral degree. They should also be certified and possess a valid state license.
Ohio endorses a single state license as part of the APRN Compact. This is the case because NPs in the state are not permitted to practice independently. This fact explains why the state is not part of the APRN Compact. There are also no known plans for Ohio to incorporate the licensure solution.
The advanced nursing practice title in Ohio is Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). The recognized APRN roles include those of Certified Nurse Practitioners (CNPs), Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs).
Ohio has developed a formulary that indicates specific substances and drugs that can be prescribed by NPs. This includes certain controlled substances as outlined in the Revised Code (section 3719.1). NPs are not allowed to prescribe drugs that can induce abortion. Several requirements are needed to obtain prescription authority. These include Certificate to Prescribe Externship (CTPE), Certificate to Prescribe (CTP), and a Master Degree in Nursing. For the CTPE, 45 hours should be completed in pharmacology. In order to maintain prescriptive authority, NPs must be supervised by physicians indirectly or directly.
NPs in Ohio must complete several contact hours to have their licenses renewed. This is a major requirement for maintaining licensure. This is done during every renewal cycle. Some of the targeted areas for continuing education include ethics and pharmacology.
Professional Organizations and State Board of Nursing
Professional nursing organizations are relevant because they help practitioners widen their proficiencies and address their concerns. They offer meaningful ideas and influence policies that affect nurses. NPs associated with such organizations network with others and stay current in their areas of practice. The Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioners (GAPNA) addresses the issues affecting NPs working with elderly citizens. The web-link indicates that members acquire new concepts and competencies that can enhance career growth. Individuals in need of advanced education can benefit from GAPNA’s agenda. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) represents the needs of NPs in the country. The organization provides grants to members, undertakes numerous studies that can develop the field of nursing, and offers practical resources to different practitioners. My local organization is called Ohio Nurses Association (ONA). It informs nurses about proposed policies and concepts that can result in improved service delivery. ONA also supports the emerging needs of NPs in the state.
The role of Ohio’s Board of Nursing (BON) is to govern and dictate the practice of licensed nurses. This is done to protect patients’ rights and health needs. The board identifies the standards for efficient and safe nursing practice. Licenses are issued to professionals who meet the state’s public health needs. In Ohio, professional organizations interact with the BON to address various challenges and engage in continuous research to advance the field. Various professional organizations function within different domains such as advocacy, policy changes, and improvement of nursing care. Additionally, they offer incentives, proposals, and ideas to ensure quality care is available to every Ohioan.