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The advanced practice nurse. Changing the practice law: what did we learn?
Clinical Nurse Specialist CNS
|February 24, 2001
Summary
Connecticut advanced practice nurses achieved greater practice autonomy through legislative changes in 1999. This involved strategic organization, coalition building, and lobbying efforts, resulting in collaborative physician relationships and improved patient access to nursing services.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Practice
- Health Policy
- Legislative Advocacy
Background:
- Advanced practice nursing roles evolved significantly, necessitating updated legislation.
- Psychiatric clinical nurse specialists initiated efforts in 1990 to enhance their practice status and patient access.
- Existing nurse practice statutes did not accurately reflect current advanced practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe statutory changes for advanced practice nurses in Connecticut enacted in 1999.
- To detail the advocacy process, including organizational strategies and lobbying.
- To share lessons learned to guide future legislative reform for nursing practice.
Main Methods:
- Historical analysis of legislative changes.
- Description of organizational and lobbying strategies employed by nurse specialists.
- Case study of statutory reform in Connecticut.
Main Results:
- The Connecticut nurse practice statute was amended in 1999.
- Advanced practice nurses transitioned from physician-directed practice to a collaborative model.
- Key strategies included organizational identification, coalition building, legal/lobbying support, negotiation, and grassroots efforts.
Conclusions:
- Successful legislative reform requires robust organizational efforts and strategic advocacy.
- Statutory changes fostered a more independent and collaborative practice environment for advanced practice nurses.
- The experiences offer valuable insights for other groups seeking to advance nursing practice laws.