Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health, Comparing APRN Regulations: Full Practice Authority vs. Collaborative Models in New York and Florida

**minimum of three (2) scholarly references are required for each reply cited within the body of the reply & at the end**

Nerline Mildort

Comparing APRN Regulations: Full Practice Authority vs. Collaborative Models in New York and Florida

In New York Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), including nurse practitioners (NPs), operate under specific regulations that grant them a degree of autonomy in their practice. On the other hand, in Florida, the regulatory framework for APRNs is different, requiring them to maintain a Collaborative Practice Agreement (CPA) with a physician (Kleinpell et al., 2023). This comparison highlights the distinctions between the two states’ regulations and their potential impact on nursing practice.

New York Regulations

In New York, APRNs, including NPs, have Full Practice Authority (FPA). This means they can practice independently within the full scope of their education and training without needing a CPA with a physician (Kleinpell et al., 2023). They are authorized to diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications, including controlled substances, without mandatory physician oversight.
For example, an NP working in a family practice clinic in New York can conduct patient assessments, order, and interpret diagnostic tests, make treatment decisions, and prescribe medications without supervision from a collaborating physician.

Florida Regulations

In contrast, Florida has a more restrictive regulatory approach for APRNs, including NPs. APRNs in Florida must have a CPA with a physician, which introduces an element of collaboration into their practice (Neff et al., 2018). While NPs in Florida can diagnose and treat patients, certain aspects of their practice, particularly prescribing medications, are influenced by the terms of the CPA.
For instance, an NP in Florida may need to consult with their collaborating physician for certain prescription decisions, and the physician may be required to co-sign these prescriptions. This collaborative model ensures physician involvement in NP practice and adds an extra layer of oversight.

Application to APRNs with Full Scope Practice

The regulations in New York, granting Full Practice Authority to APRNs allow them to operate autonomously, offering timely and comprehensive care to patients (Wheeler et al., 2022). This autonomy can be particularly beneficial in underserved areas where physicians may be scarce, improving access to care and potentially reducing healthcare disparities. In contrast, Florida’s regulatory framework, which requires CPAs with physicians, may create administrative hurdles and slow the delivery of care (Wheeler et al., 2022). However, this model can also facilitate collaborative decision-making and ensure an additional layer of clinical oversight.
For example, in a rural clinic in New York, an NP may see patients and prescribe medications independently, whereas, in a similar clinic in Florida, the NP might need to consult with their collaborating physician for certain prescription decisions, adding an extra layer of clinical judgment and expertise.
In conclusion, the regulatory differences between Florida and New York for APRNs, particularly NPs, highlight the varying levels of autonomy and collaboration in their practice. These regulations reflect the states’ approaches to balancing access to care with patient safety, and they have direct implications for how APRNs provide healthcare services within their respective jurisdictions.
 
References

Florida: Information and Resources for Florida NPs. American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (n.d.-a). https://www.aanp.org/advocacy/florida

Kleinpell, R., Myers, C. R., & Schorn, M. N. (2023). Addressing Barriers to APRN Practice: Policy and Regulatory Implications During COVID-19. 
Journal of Nursing Regulation, 
14(1), 13–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2155-8256(23)00064-9

Neff, D. F., Yoon, S. H., Steiner, R. L., Bejleri, I., Bumbach, M. D., Everhart, D., & Harman, J. S. (2018). The impact of nurse practitioner regulations on population access to care. 
Nursing Outlook, 
66(4), 379–385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2018.03.001

 
New York: Information and Resources for New York NPs. American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (n.d.). https://www.aanp.org/advocacy/new-york

Wheeler, K. J., Miller, M., Pulcini, J., Gray, D., Ladd, E., & Rayens, M. K. (2022). Advanced Practice Nursing Roles, Regulation, Education, and Practice: A Global Study. 
Annals of Global Health, 
88(1). https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.3698