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Read about the different requirements for each of the states practice authority.
The landscape of nurse practitioner practice authority in the United States is diverse, varying from state to state. Understanding these variations is crucial for nurse practitioners seeking to practice in a manner aligned with their training and expertise. This section delves into the three main categories of practice authority: Full Practice, Reduced Practice, and Restricted Practice.
Full Practice
In states that grant full practice authority to nurse practitioners, they have the ability to fully practice without the need for a supervising or collaborating physician. This means they can diagnose patients, order tests, prescribe medication, and even operate their own independent practices. However, in some nurse practitioner independent practice states, there may be requirements such as a certain level of experience working under a physician's supervision or additional training before full practice authority is granted. It's important to note that these requirements are not permanent and these states are still considered full practice authority states.
Reduced Practice
In states with reduced practice authority, nurse practitioners have the ability to perform certain aspects of their scope of practice without the need for constant physician supervision. These limitations usually relate to operating their own practices or prescribing specific medications. However, these restrictions rarely affect the nurse practitioner's ability to order tests or diagnose conditions. For instance, a nurse practitioner may be required to be part of a practice that is overseen by a physician rather than having their own practice. Nonetheless, within that supervised practice, they can still operate with a certain level of autonomy.
Restricted Practice
In states with restricted practice, nurse practitioners are required to work under the supervision of a physician for all aspects of their practice. Although they have some level of independence in certain nurse practitioner functions, they do not function as independent practitioners. However, it is important to note that as nurse practitioners gain experience, some states may relax these restrictions.