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In this article, author Lugo discusses the findings of her study relating limits on full practice authority for APRNs to issues of gender equality. She investigated the link between state support of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and laws in these states allowing APRNs full scope of practice and prescribing rights. Her study showed that states that have historically and currently supported the ERA in fact allow greater APRN scope of practice, and thus she draws conclusions about attitudes towards women's equality and the regulation of advanced practice nursing, which remains to be a woman-dominated profession.

In this May 2016 article published in the Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, Dr. Nancy Rudner Lugo argues that advanced practicing nursing viewed through a gendered perspective due to nursing's history as a predominantly female profession; because of this, APRNS in states that are less accepting of women's equality have a more narrow scope of practice. There is not currently a national-level evidence based method used to determine APRN scope, and is instead decided at the state level. The author seeks to explain the cause of the discrepancy between differing APRN scopes of practice in different states by comparing the APRN scope of practice between states that did and did not vote to pass the Equal Right Amendment, positing that states with cultural attitudes that are more equitable between genders reflect this at the legislative level, thus explaining the wider or full practice authority given to APRNs in these states. In conclusion, Lugo advocates for increasing the number of women in legislative positions, forming relationships between women's equality organizations and groups working towards expanded health care access, and emphasizing the skills and competency of APRNs in achieving positive patient health outcomes.

The APRN role is one that is continually evolving globally due to health care provider needs. This article looks specifically at barriers APRNs face that hinder them from practicing to the full extent of their scope and how to face these barriers to promote full scope of practice and address healthcare needs.

This 2015 article, written in the Journal of Pediatric Health Care, discusses the critical importance of intervening and advocating for APRNs to have full practice authority as opposed to the current varying state-by-state practice laws. The author explains the primary reasons for states retaining restrictions on APRN practice are outdated and include lack of awareness of the current scope of practice of APRNs and organized medicine's persistent opposition to expanding the authority of other providers to practice and receive the full amount for their rendered services. The author supports her argument by including the IOM Committee's view; removing APRN practice restrictions would assist in addressing health care access, high-quality care, and an overall healthier population.

Connects efforts for full practice authority for NPs to the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment by various states. States that ratified the ERA and therefore have a more egalitarian view of women are more likely to have full scope of practice laws for NPs, CNMs, and CRNAs

The researchers in this article focused on analyzing what kind of economic impact that giving APRNs full scope of practice in North Carolina would have. They calculated the impact by first projecting the increase in APRN graduates choosing to work in the state after full scope would be awarded. Projections of the increase in demand for providers due to both the ACA and an aging population were also taken into consideration. The findings in this analysis were that giving APRNs full scope of practice in the state would benefit the economy with increased output, employment, and tax revenue all while decreasing provider shortages. The state could save upwards of $495 million in gross product annually.

Hopefully, results such as these will give other states with more restrictive policies incentive to change their practice guidelines.

This article discusses the limitations in scope-of-practice caused by state regulation of health professions. It also stresses the importance of allowing APRNs to practice within their full-scope as supported by various research and defined by national regulating organizations in order to improve primary care.

This link shows all the certifying bodies available and has links to those websites The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is the largest and only full-service national professional membership organization for nurse practitioners (NPs) of all specialties.

This article shares an experience of an NP in Nevada who had been trying to care for patients in under served areas but was having difficulty finding MDs to sign agreements with in those areas. This inhibited her ability to treat people in need but, thankfully, a new law was passed July 1 that enabled her to treat these people to the full extent her education taught her to, without having to rely on an agreement with an MD. It is important for us to remain aware of our scope of practice but also to fight for our ability to practice to the full extent we're being taught to do.

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is the largest and only full-service national professional membership organization for nurse practitioners (NPs) of all specialties.

This article examines the documented positive impact of full practice legislation on patient outcomes. Potentially avoidable hospitalizations, readmission rates after inpatient rehabilitation, and nursing home resident hospitalizations were explored. States with full practice of nurse practitioners have lower hospitalization rates in all examined groups and improved health outcomes in their communities.

This is an interesting article that conducted a lit review to see how expanding the scope of practice for APRNs would affect health care delivery and costs in Ohio. Although it is specific to Ohio, the lit review they did highlights many benefits to full practice authority that could be generalized to any state.

This article highlights the changes in policy that are needed to enable nurse practitioners their full scope of practice in a way that benefits patients and families at end-of-life. Nurse practitioners need the ability to practice to their full scope of practice, including providing autonomous care, receiving adequate and equal reimbursement for services, and having the authority to prescribe controlled substances II through V. Nurses also need to endorse policies that require specialized education so they receive the knowledge and skills necessary to be leaders in end-of-life care.

I found this research article enlightening on Physician's views and APRN's views on the APRN's role and scope of practice in the primary care setting. In 2010, the Institute of Medicine published an article that stated "advanced practice registered nurses should be able to practice to the full extent of their education and training." The link I posted givens results to a survey given randomly to Physicians and APRNs working in direct patient care on how they view they scope of practice of APRNs.

This article details the researchers' efforts to describe the ability of nurse practitioners to reduce health disparities. By reviewing the literature, the researchers were able to create a "Nurse Practitioner Health Disparities Model" that outlines the many factors that influence a NP's ability to reduce health disparities. Outside actors, such as policymakers and insurance companies, can also influence the ability of nurse practitioners to reduce health disparities. Thus, the model is a useful tool in promoting full practice for APRNs.

Recently published article in NEJM that pulls together some of the exciting things coming for NPs and RNs in continuing expanded roles to meet primary care needs in our health care system.