A giant leap in the development of nurse practitioners in Taiwan: From statute to regulation.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the article is to clarify and describe nurse practitioner (NP) scope-of-practice regulations, including the process of establishing the regulations, and the concepts of supervision, collaboration, and protocol as well as to illustrate the positive impact of NPs in Taiwan.


METHODS
A literature review was conducted to understand physician involvement, NP scope of practice, and written practice protocol. A simultaneous review of authoritative regulations, related to local statutes and regulations in the United States, was conducted.


CONCLUSIONS
After the Legislative Yuan approved an amendment of NP scope of practice on August 5, 2014, NPs can practice legally, with statute protection. These scope-of-practice regulations, developed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the concept of physician supervision and written practice protocol represent a significant advance for NPs in Taiwan.


CONCLUSIONS
We believe that establishing NP scope-of-practice regulations can result in the optimal development of this new role and improve quality of care. By sharing our milestones, from statute to regulations of the NP scope of practice, other countries that are in the process of developing the NP role can draw on our experience to establish their local regulations.
General Education Center, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Science, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Hui-Ju
HJ
Chiu
Department of Nursing, Dayen University, Dacun, Changhua, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Shiow-Luan
SL
Tsay
College of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Science, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.|Tung's Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Heng-Hsin
HH
Tung
D006801:Humans; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000639:trends*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D013624:Taiwan
Nurse practitioners; health policy; international; role of advanced practice