Benefits of Less Restrictive Regulation of Advance Practice Registered Nurses in Florida

Abstract

Background: Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) provide access to costeffective, high quality care. APRNs are underutilized in states that restrict their practice. Removing restrictions could expand access to quality health care, costeffectively relieve the physician shortage, and contribute economically. Purpose: This study forecasts the health system and economic impacts of reducing practice restrictions for Florida APRNs. Methods: The analysis utilized a number of data sources and IMPLAN software and estimated changes in APRN supply given less restrictive practice laws, and consequential health system and economic benefits. Findings: Between 2013 and 2025 APRN full time equivalents could increase an additional 11% with less restrictive practice regulations. This could eliminate or reduce the shortage of different types of physicians. Health care cost-savings could be $50 to $493 per resident. There would be a number of general economic benefits. Discussion: A number of health system and economic benefits would ensue from less restrictive APRN regulation.

Implementing advanced practice nursing in France: A country‐wide survey 2 years after its introduction

“…These same factors were also reported as limiting APN role implementation at the community level in other countries (Torrens et al, 2020 ; Xue et al, 2016 ). Yet the legal right to diagnose and to prescribe new medications are two of the main features of the nurse practitioner's role (Jakimowicz et al, 2017 ) and are a necessary requirement for population based, patient‐centred care (Unruh et al, 2018 ). Furthermore, many complex patients have more than one condition and require regular physician intervention because many conditions are not eligible to APN management in France.…”

Estimating the Effect of the New York State Nurse Practitioners Modernization Act on Care Received by Medicaid Patients

“…Another study focuses on Alabama and examines the effects of expanded NP and physician assistant SOP simultaneously (Hooker & Muchow, 2015). Unruh et al. (2018) forecast increases in the NP workforce as a result of expanded NP SOP.…”

The impact of state nurse practitioner scope-of-practice regulations on access to primary care in health professional shortage areas

“…54 Removal of NP SOP restrictions could also reap economic benefits for the state and the nation as a whole. 55 These economic benefits arise from increased employment of NPs and support staff as well as utilization of medical supplies and other resources as practices expand in response to the removal of NP SOP restrictions. 55 The increase in jobs, spending by newly employed workers as well as increased consumption of medical resources can have a ripple effect on the economy and increase economic output.…”

“…55 These economic benefits arise from increased employment of NPs and support staff as well as utilization of medical supplies and other resources as practices expand in response to the removal of NP SOP restrictions. 55 The increase in jobs, spending by newly employed workers as well as increased consumption of medical resources can have a ripple effect on the economy and increase economic output. 55 Analysis of the potential economic impact of expanding APRN SOP in two states, Texas and North Carolina, revealed increases in economic output of $8 billion and $477 million respectively.…”

“…55 The increase in jobs, spending by newly employed workers as well as increased consumption of medical resources can have a ripple effect on the economy and increase economic output. 55 Analysis of the potential economic impact of expanding APRN SOP in two states, Texas and North Carolina, revealed increases in economic output of $8 billion and $477 million respectively. 56,57 Additionally, these studies projected that expanding APRN SOP would add at least 97,000 permanent jobs in Texas and up to 7,000 jobs in North Carolina.…”