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.

Dawley clearly outlines the critical role birth centers and home birth during the 1930's and 1940's played in the developed of our current professional midwifery culture.

The role of APRNs continues to expand when current gaps in patient care management and outcomes are identified. Central Arkansas Veteran Healthcare System created the role of Abnormal Radiology Findings APRN with the aim of improving patient outcomes by decreasing the length of time between abnormal radiology findings and decrease of care for our veterans. During the year of research since the advent of this position, the days until decision dropped on average from 38 to 7 demonstrating the efficacy of the role and the ways APRN are well placed within the health care system to provide patient-centered care.