NR 506 Week 6 NP Scope of Practice

Grace J.
August 30, 2025August 30, 2025
CU MSN, NR-506

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-506: Healthcare Policy

Prof. Name

Date

NP Scope of Practice

Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice in Florida

In Florida, nurse practitioners (NPs) operate under restricted practice regulations, meaning they are required to work under the supervision of a physician or another healthcare provider to deliver patient care (AANP, 2020). However, recent policy changes have provided greater independence. In 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation that permits experienced NPs—those who have completed at least 3,000 supervised practice hours—to practice independently without continuous physician oversight (Thomas, 2020). This represents an important step toward expanding NP authority and addressing healthcare access needs within the state.

Prescribing Authorities

Florida allows NPs to prescribe controlled substances, but prescribing authority is tied to physician supervision. A written collaborative agreement must be maintained for prescriptive authority, ensuring legal accountability.

The details of NP prescribing rights in Florida are outlined below:

Prescriptive Authority	Requirements/Limitations
Controlled substances	Allowed under physician supervision
Written agreement	Required for prescriptive authority
Schedule II substances	Limited to a 7-day supply
Psychiatric medications for minors	Only psychiatric NPs may prescribe for patients under 18
Continuing education	3 hours required every 2 years on safe/effective prescribing

(American Medical Association, 2017).

This structured prescribing authority attempts to balance patient safety while expanding NP contributions to healthcare delivery.

Limitations of Practice

Even after certification, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in Florida must maintain a protocol agreement with a supervising physician. This written document outlines clinical responsibilities such as diagnosing, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, and developing treatment plans.

Although the supervising physician does not need to be physically present, they must remain reachable by phone for consultation when needed. Despite these restrictions, Florida law does acknowledge NPs as primary care providers, which recognizes their role in meeting growing healthcare demands, particularly in underserved regions (Scope of Practice Policy, 2020).

Process for Obtaining Licensure in Florida

To practice as an NP in Florida, candidates must first hold an active registered nursing (RN) license. They must then obtain national certification from a recognized specialty board, which requires proof of advanced education, clinical experience, application fees, and the successful completion of a standardized certification examination.

Additional licensure requirements include:

Fingerprinting and background checks
Completion of a two-hour course on the prevention of medical errors
Proof of liability insurance coverage

(NursingLicensure.org, 2020).

Certification and Education Requirements

The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) established a framework of nine core competencies that every NP is expected to master upon graduation from an advanced practice program. These competencies ensure NPs are adequately prepared to deliver safe and independent care.

NONPF NP Core Competencies
Scientific foundation
Leadership
Quality improvement
Practice inquiry
Technology and information literacy
Policy advocacy
Health delivery systems
Ethics
Independent practice

(NONPF, 2012).

By emphasizing these areas, NP education aligns with national standards that safeguard the quality of patient care across diverse clinical settings.

NP Barriers

Although studies confirm that NPs deliver high-quality and cost-effective care equivalent to physicians, they continue to face barriers in Florida due to regulatory restrictions. There are approximately 18,000 NPs practicing in Florida, with an additional 300–500 graduates each year (Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2020).

If NPs were permitted to practice to the full extent of their education and training, they could significantly reduce healthcare costs while increasing access for underserved populations. Unfortunately, current restrictions disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, such as Medicaid recipients and rural residents, where physician shortages are already severe. These barriers drive up healthcare costs and limit availability of primary care services (Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2020).

How Does Access to NPs Impact Healthcare Disparities?

Access to nurse practitioners directly reduces healthcare disparities by expanding affordable and timely care. Millions of Americans lack consistent access to healthcare due to geographic, financial, or insurance barriers. NPs play a vital role in filling these gaps by offering services in rural, urban, and underserved communities where physician shortages persist.

Their ability to provide preventive care, chronic disease management, and health education not only improves outcomes but also lowers the overall burden on emergency and specialty services. Consequently, expanding NP authority contributes to healthier populations and reduced disparities in healthcare delivery.

References

National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. (2012). Nurse practitioner core competencies. Retrieved from https://www.nursepractitionerschools.com/faq/what-are-the-np-core-competencies/

American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2020). State practice environment: Florida. AANP. Retrieved from https://www.aanp.org