Restrictive practice environment and nurse practitioners' prescriptive authority

This study analyzes the impacts of several variables, including a restrictive practice environment, on a nurse practitioner's level of autonomy with respect to prescribing selected categories of medicines. A general linear model is applied to data from the 1992 national sample of nurse practitioners. Results show that among the significant independent variables, a restrictive environment of imposed state laws and regulations reduces nurse practitioners' level of autonomy in prescribing medications and acts as a barrier to their practicing to full potential. Results and policy implications are discussed.