title: The case for full practice authority.
abstract: The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended in its 2010 report on the future of nursing that advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) should factor prominently in providing care to the millions of Americans who access healthcare services under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The IOM also recommended that APRNs practice to the full extent of their education and training.However, many states have laws in place that limit full practice authority for APRNs, specifically NPs, in providing basic health services such as primary care. These laws place restrictions on independent practice and Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement, which prevent nurses from “responding effectively to rapidly changing health care settings and an evolving health care system.” Less than half of the United States has adopted full practice authority licensure and practice laws (see APRN practice authority at a glance). This article discusses how the primary care needs of millions of Americans can be met by granting full practice authority to APRNs nationwide and provides evidence to support the high level of care these practitioners can provide independently.
authors.affiliation: Olivia Holmes is the chief acute care nurse and Shanieka Kinsey-Weathers is a nurse manager for primary care at the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in Shreveport, La.
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: Shanieka
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kinsey-Weathers
mesh_terms: D057179:Advanced Practice Nursing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D058991:Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D057184:Practice Patterns, Nurses' / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D014481:United States