Assignment task: An advanced practice registered nurse practitioner is a current practicing nurse with an advanced education and a certification. This certification permits the nurse to provide healthcare beyond the scope of an RN. As you gain experience as a nurse you may want to assume more responsibility. As a nurse practitioner you will be trained to diagnose illnesses, administer care, order test, prescribe medications and deliver care with greater autonomy in their work. APRN's can practice care in a variety of primary care and acute and long-term care settings.
The practice of nursing is greatly determined by state and local policies and procedures. The practice authority changes in the following four areas from state to state: 1.) Practice authority, 2.) Prescriptive authority, 3.) Nurse practitioners identified as primary care providers, and 4.) Authority to sign provider orders for life-sustaining treatment (POLST) forms.
In the state of Texas, a nurse must be in a masters or doctoral level program for 48-94 credit hours and 500-1700 clinical hours to qualify to take an exam to become an APRN. Unfortunately, due to poor practice environments and a lack of autonomous practice Texas has a D in APRN approval rates. Research shows APRN's tend to get educated in Texas and then move out of state to practice (Texas). In Texas nurses can autonomously do histories and physical exams, order diagnostic exams, and interpret diagnostic test." (Texas) A Texas APRN may recommend OTC drugs but cannot prescribe or order drugs and medical devices independently. A physician must be delegated for an APRN in Texas to establish a medical diagnosis and prescribe or order drugs and medical devices.
In contrast the state of Florida in 2020 the Florida Legislation changed the law to allow Advanced Practice registered Nurses to hold the status of independent practitioner (Howell, J.). They must meet certain requirements such as have at least 3,000 clinical practice hours under the supervision of an allopathic or osteopathic physician within the past 5 years and not been subject to disciplinary action
Question: Explain how the regulatory environment and the regulations explain above differ from your state/region. Be specific and provide examples.