Scope of Practice Barriers for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses: A State Task Force to Minimize Barriers

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice and Policy
• Healthcare Administration

Background:

• Barriers often impede advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) from practicing to the full extent of their education and licensure.
• Understanding these barriers is critical for optimizing healthcare delivery and patient access to care, particularly in states with full practice authority.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and analyze the barriers encountered by APRNs in Iowa when attempting to practice at the top of their licensure.
• To explore strategies for overcoming identified practice barriers within a full practice authority framework.

Main Methods:

• A state-sanctioned task force composed of APRNs in Iowa was convened.
• The task force engaged in discussions and analysis to identify specific impediments to full-scope APRN practice.
• Methods included examining legal and administrative challenges, such as defending the scope of nursing practice in court.

Main Results:

• Key components for dismantling practice barriers include fostering collegial relationships, securing administrative champions, and demonstrating persistence.
• Specific barriers identified relate to the legal and administrative defense of the nursing scope of practice.
• The findings highlight the importance of collaborative efforts and sustained advocacy for APRN practice expansion.

Conclusions:

• Collegial relationships, administrative support, and persistence are essential for APRNs to overcome practice barriers.
• Effective strategies are needed to defend and maintain the scope of nursing practice, even in full practice authority states.
• Continued advocacy and collaboration are vital for ensuring APRNs can practice to their full potential.