Expanding full practice authority for nurse practitioners in the United States

Physician shortages lead to longer wait times, shorter patient visits, and lower-quality patient interactions, resulting in a greater risk for misdiagnosis and an overall decrease in the quality of care they provide. In this viewpoint, we reviewed the issues surrounding full practice authority (FPA) for nurse practitioners (NPs) in the United States (US). We summarized evidence regarding the safety, quality, and efficacy of NPs in states that have enacted FPA and describes the role of NPs in closing the gap of unmet healthcare needs of the US population. We also described the success of states with FPA in their legislative efforts while other states are still plagued by barriers to FPA, providing context on the political environment surrounding FPA bills. The analysis of FPA for NPs meeting the healthcare needs of the US population can further inform policy to aid in similar healthcare needs globally.