For this week’s discussion review your state’s scope of practice and address 3 areas that you were not aware you can do as a licensed provider in your state.
I used the Florida Board of Nursing to further research my individual state’s scope of practice for this week’s discussion. I also used the Florida Statutes from 2022. After reviewing my state’s scope of practice, I discovered several areas that I was unaware APRNs could do as licensed providers. Family nurse practitioners can practice independently if they have a signed protocol with a physician, according to the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Board of Nursing. If they have a signed agreement with a physician, FNPs in Florida can practice independently. They can even have separate practices. A doctor is not required to be present at the time of service. This written protocol outlines the duties that the NP is authorized to perform. The degree of physician supervision is also specified in the protocol. Different levels of supervision may be required for various actions taken by the APRN. For example, diagnosis may not require supervision, whereas certain procedures may necessitate the presence of a physician or may be prohibited entirely. Furthermore, an APRN can prescribe medications, including controlled substances Schedules II-IV, according to Florida Statute 464.012. These schedules categorize drugs from most to least likely to be abused. The written physician protocol specifies which prescriptions in that environment will require direct physician prescription. I discovered several practice categories that were more specific to the Autonomous APRN. According to House Bill 607, only an APRN who is registered and approved for autonomous practice in the state of Florida can sign a death certificate. The completion of the death certificate is critical for families when a loved one passes away, and becoming an online EDRS certifier is simple and free; however, it is only approved for autonomous APRNs. In addition, the Florida APRN is authorized to insert special peripheral and central venous and arterial lines for blood sampling and monitoring as needed.
Reference
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) – Licensing, Renewals, and Information ยป Florida Board of Nursing (n.d.).
Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine. https://floridasnursing.gov/nursing-faqs/advanced-practice-registered-nurse-aprn/ (n.d.).
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App mode=Display Statute
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