Impact of State Regulations Related to APRNs on Delivery, Cost and Access to healthcare.

Patients, especially those in poor areas, may have easier access to care following the regulation giving APRNs full practice power in California. When there is a lack of doctors in a given area, an APRN can step in to provide primary care and other medical services without the direct supervision of a medical doctor. Those who might have trouble getting medical care normally may benefit from this. Nursing practice regulation in California has the potential to lower healthcare costs. Within their area of practice, NPs are able to prescribe medication, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and perform minor surgical operations (Maier, 2019). Allowing NPs to perform some tasks that would normally necessitate the assistance of a physician can help to lower healthcare costs. To guarantee that patients get the best possible treatment, it is essential that APRNs be required to achieve national certification in their area of specialty in California (Auerbach et al., 2020). Improved patient outcomes may result from this mandate since it guarantees that advanced practice registered nurses have the requisite knowledge and abilities to offer safe and effective care in their specialist area. By permitting APRNs to collaborate with other healthcare practitioners, legislative regulations pertaining to APRNs in California can affect the delivery of healthcare. APRNs have the ability to collaborate with MDs and other medical professionals to give patients with comprehensive, team-based treatment. Positive effects on health outcomes, patient happiness, and healthcare efficiency may result.

Changes Within the State Regulations Over the Past 5 Years.

As of the end of the current fiscal year, March 31, 2022, travel nurses were prohibited from practicing in the Golden State. Nurses with valid licenses from other states were allowed to practice in California without having to get a California license from the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) when COVID-19 began in March 2020 (French et al., 2022). Before this change, nurses couldn’t get jobs abroad through agreements of mutual assistance. Nurses from other states would have to apply for permission to work in California. Nurses who wish to remain in practice in California are urged by the State Board of Nursing (BRN) to apply for Licensure by Endorsement as soon as practicable (Bradley et al., 2019). Nurses need to take measures if they hope to get gainful employment in California over the next several months. The longer this takes, the more likely it is that nurses may lose their job or be unable to secure assignments in the state. As for the APRNs, within their legally recognized scope of activity and without the need for direct medical supervision, APRNs are now protected by the new law. They would provide referrals, prescribe medications and independently practice. The new rule mandates that advanced practice registered nurses have specific levels of education, qualification, and experience in their profession before they can work independently. There are also various restrictions and limitations on practice, especially in institutional environments like hospitals.

References

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