Peer Betty Hyunjung Kim Discussion: Regulations For Advancem

Peer 1betty Hyunjung Kimdiscussionthe Regulations For Advanced Practic

Peer 1betty Hyunjung Kim discussion the Regulations For Advanced Practic Peer 1betty Hyunjung Kimdiscussionthe Regulations For Advanced Practic Peer 1 Betty Hyunjung Kim Discussion The regulations for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in California and Georgia share similarities and differences. These regulations were obtained from the California Board of Registered Nursing and Rules and regulation of the state of Georgia (n.d.), respectively. For education and experience, to adhere to this regulation, an APRN in both states must complete a graduate or postgraduate level program in their chosen nursing specialty. For instance, if a student wishes to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in either California or Georgia, they should seek out and complete specific programs that focus on anesthesia. Striving for additional education, such as a doctoral degree in nurse anesthesia, would also help APRN exceed the minimum requirements, keeping them competitive and updated on the current methods and research in their field.

For Practice Agreement, in Georgia, an APRN must have a protocol agreement with a collaborating physician to practice and for prescriptive authority. This means that all major decisions regarding patient care and medication must go through the collaborating physician, potentially resulting in a time delay for the start of treatment. In contrast, California allows Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to operate independently but requires collaboration or a standardized protocol with a physician when prescribing medication. This requirement for collaboration or standardized protocols with physicians aligns with the findings of (Schorn et al., 2022), and (Germack, 2020), who highlighted that in states with reduced practice authority for APRNs, practice must occur in collaboration with or under the supervision of a physician, limiting their ability to engage fully in independent practice (Schorn et al., 2022; Germack, 2020).

Additionally, Schirle and McCabe (2016) noted that there are variations in opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions between independent and non-independent APRN prescribing states, indicating the impact of state regulations on prescribing practices (Schirle & McCabe, 2016). Furthermore, Barnes et al. (2016) categorized states based on their level of restrictiveness, with implications for healthcare delivery and access, emphasizing the influence of regulation and payment policies on APRN clinical practices, including prescribing authority (Barnes et al., 2016). The variation in practice agreements between states highlights the impact of regulatory policies on the autonomy and prescribing authority of APRNs.

The findings from various studies suggest that the variation in practice agreements between states has a significant impact on the autonomy and prescribing authority of APRNs. The requirement for collaboration or standardized protocols with physicians in California reflects the broader landscape of APRN practice across the United States, where regulatory and payment policies significantly influence their clinical practices and autonomy. It is crucial for policymakers and stakeholders to consider these implications when evaluating and shaping regulations surrounding APRN practice, with the ultimate goal of optimizing patient care and improving access to healthcare services. References Barnes, H., Maier, C., Sarik, D., Germack, H., Aiken, L., & McHugh, M. (2016). Effects of regulation and payment policies on nurse practitioners’ clinical practices. Medical Care Research and Review, 74(4). California Board of Registered Nursing (.gov). (2019). Nurse practitioners: Laws & regulations [PDF]. Germack, H. D. (2020). States should remove barriers to advanced practice registered nurse prescriptive authority to increase access to treatment for opioid use disorder. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 22 (2), 85–92. Rules and regulations of the state of Georgia. (n.d.). Regulation of advanced practice registered nurses. Schirle, L., & McCabe, B. E. (2016a). State variation in opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions between independent and nonindependent advanced practice registered nurse prescribing states. Nursing Outlook, 64(1), 86–93. Schorn, M. N., Myers, C., Barroso, J., Hande, K., Hudson, T., Kim, J., & Kleinpell, R. (2022). Results of a national survey: Ongoing barriers to aprn practice in the united states. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 23(2), 118–129.

Paper For Above instruction

The regulations governing Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) differ significantly across states in the United States, affecting their scope of practice, prescriptive authority, and degree of independence. Understanding these regulatory variations is essential for enhancing healthcare delivery, especially as the demand for primary care providers increases and APRNs play a crucial role in addressing shortages, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

In California and Georgia, the regulatory frameworks present contrasting models of APRN practice. California has adopted a relatively progressive stance, allowing APRNs to practice with a degree of independence. Under California’s regulations, APRNs can operate within collaborative agreements or standardized protocols with physicians, particularly concerning prescribing medications. This setup facilitates a more autonomous practice environment, enabling APRNs to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients with minimal physician oversight (California Board of Registered Nursing, 2019). This autonomy is rooted in California’s recognition of the growing competence and contribution of APRNs in primary care. The state’s regulations aim to maximize access to healthcare, especially in underserved areas, by reducing unnecessary barriers to practice (Germack, 2020).

> Conversely, Georgia maintains a more restrictive approach, mandating a protocol agreement between APRNs and physicians for prescriptive authority and practice. Such collaborative agreements require APRNs to seek supervision and input from physicians for major decision-making, which potentially delays patient care and limits APRN autonomy (Rules and regulations of the state of Georgia, n.d.). This restrictive framework reflects historical regulatory conservatism, aimed at maintaining physician dominance over advanced nursing practice. However, it also hampers the efficient delivery of care and contributes to healthcare disparities in regions with limited physician access.

Research indicates that these regulatory differences have tangible impacts on clinical practice, especially regarding prescribing authority and scope of practice. Schirle and McCabe (2016) highlight notable variations in opioid and benzodiazepine prescribing patterns between states with independent versus dependent APRN practices. Their findings suggest that restrictive regulations in states like Georgia lead to more limited prescribing capabilities for APRNs, potentially affecting patient access to necessary medications, particularly for underserved populations. Similarly, Barnes et al. (2016) classified states based on restrictiveness levels, emphasizing that stricter regulations often correlate with limited access and higher costs, which adversely influence healthcare outcomes.

The autonomy granted to APRNs also affects their ability to address complex health issues, including opioid use disorder (OUD). Germack (2020) advocates for removing barriers to APRN prescriptive authority, particularly in managing OUD, as a means to improve treatment access amidst the opioid epidemic. State-level regulatory barriers hinder this progress, underscoring the need for policy reforms that support expanded APRN practice authority.

Moreover, the broader implications of regulatory variability influence healthcare efficiency and sustainability. Studies by Bosse et al. (2017) argue that full practice authority for APRNs is fundamental to transforming primary care, reducing costs, and increasing access while maintaining high-quality outcomes. The restrictions in Georgia exemplify a practice environment that may limit these benefits, whereas California’s more liberal regulations align with evidence supporting enhanced APRN autonomy (Bosse et al., 2017).

In conclusion, the disparities in APRN regulations across states reveal critical opportunities for policy improvement. Easing practice restrictions and expanding prescriptive authority can lead to increased healthcare access, improved patient outcomes, and reduced disparities, especially in rural and vulnerable populations. Policymakers must consider evidence from existing research to develop regulations that empower APRNs, thereby strengthening the healthcare system’s capacity to meet evolving needs effectively and efficiently.

References

• Barnes, H., Maier, C., Sarik, D., Germack, H., Aiken, L., & McHugh, M. (2016). Effects of regulation and payment policies on nurse practitioners’ clinical practices. Medical Care Research and Review, 74(4), 423–439.
• Bosse, J., Simmonds, K., Hanson, C., Pulcini, J., Dunphy, L., Vanhook, P., & Poghosyan, L. (2017). Position statement: Full practice authority for advanced practice registered nurses is necessary to transform primary care. Nursing Outlook, 65(6), 761–765.
• California Board of Registered Nursing. (2019). Nurse practitioners: Laws & regulations [PDF].
• Germack, H. D. (2020). States should remove barriers to advanced practice registered nurse prescriptive authority to increase access to treatment for opioid use disorder. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 22(2), 85–92.
• Rules and regulations of the state of Georgia. (n.d.). Regulation of advanced practice registered nurses.
• Schirle, L., & McCabe, B. E. (2016). State variation in opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions between independent and nonindependent advanced practice registered nurse prescribing states. Nursing Outlook, 64(1), 86–93.
• Schorn, M. N., Myers, C., Barroso, J., Hande, K., Hudson, T., Kim, J., & Kleinpell, R. (2022). Results of a national survey: Ongoing barriers to APRN practice in the United States. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 23(2), 118–129.
• Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse's guide (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.