NUR 510 Week 2 discussion – Leadership and Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse

Barriers to Practice as an APN

1. Barriers to the four APNs roles

There are various practice barriers for the four APN roles in various States and the Federal level. For example, in the State of Illinois, various restrictions include restrictions when it comes to the APNs prescribing various narcotics such as opioids. The APNs also face reduced practice autonomy (“State Practice,” 2021). They have to consult a physician to perform the prescriptions. At the national level, while some States grant full practice, APNs can prescribe non-controlled and controlled drugs and treat patients; others still do not allow APNs full practice, meaning the APNs operate under reduced practice. Illinois is among the States which restrict the practice. Therefore, the APNs need a collaborative agreement with a licensed doctor if they are to prescribe some controlled supervision. Again there are other states with a restrictive practice that needs supervision by a senior healthcare provider for APNs to offer patient care. All the four roles; nurse anasthetist, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife and clinical nurse specialist face these barriers to practice in Illinois. However, it is important to note that at the national levels, in some states, these roles have full practice authority while in some, they experience restricted practice authority.

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2. Forms of Competition Interfering With APN’s Ability to Practice Independently

Various forms of competition exist which interfere with the APN’s ability to practice independently. APNs are expected to operate in collaboration with a physician to evaluate and treat individuals, leading to competition. While the APNs may be required to work alongside physicians, they are capable of offering the same services offered by the physicians at lower costs (Yang, 2021). However, this becomes difficult due to the laws imposed requiring the physicians to supervise the APNs. These laws exist both at the State and national levels. Therefore such competition and restrictive laws interfere with the APNs’ ability to practice independently.

3. Specific Lawmakers

Illinois, like other states, has various lawmakers found as key members of the executive branch and the legislative branch of the government. The legislative branch has both the Senate and the house. The Illinois senators are Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin, who assumed their posts in 2017 and 1997, respectively, and both are democrats (“States,” 2021). These individuals are involved in law-making. On the other hand, there are other individuals from the executive branch; there is Governor Jay Robert, who assumed office in 2019. The governor is also a democrat and has been involved in accenting various bills to make the laws.

4. The Interest Groups at the State and National Levels Influencing APN Policy

The formulation of the policies impacting the APNs attracts several stakeholders and interest groups. These interest groups perform the function of influencing policies to serve the preferred interests. In the State of Illinois, various interest groups exist that influence APN policy. Some of the groups include the Illinois Organization of Nurse Leaders, the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network, and the Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing (ISAPN) (IONL, 2021). These interest groups influence the law-making processes regarding APNs in Illinois. At the national level, various interest groups exist too. For example, the American Nurses Association has been involved in APN policymaking for years and has influenced several policymaking decisions.

5. Methods Used to Influence Change in Policy.

The process of policymaking can be a long and challenging process as various stakeholders, and interest groups may have opposing views. As such, various methods can be applied to influence the desired policy changes. One of the most common strategies is the use of lobbying. Through lobbying, individuals or groups of individuals make efforts to directly influence public officials and lawmakers to align their decisions regarding legislation (Mason et al., 2020). Grassroots mobilization is also a strategy that is used to influence lawmakers indirectly. The individuals concerned signal to the lawmakers that a particular issue is a concern and therefore requires a prompt policy change. Electoral influence can also be used as a process that just comes before the actual policy work to determine who gets elected in an elective post to participate in the future policymaking processes. Shaping of public opinion can also be used at the State and national level involving persuasions. The other methods applied include litigation if need be.

References

IONL. (2021). Policy and Advocacy. https://www.ionl.org/page/policy_advocacy.

Mason, D. J., Perez, A., McLemore, M. R., & Dickson, E. (2020). Policy & Politics in Nursing and Health Care-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.

State Practice Environment. (2021). https://www.aanp.org/advocacy/state/state-practice-environment.

States in the Senate. (2021). https://www.senate.gov/states/IL/intro.htm

Yang, B. K., Johantgen, M. E., Trinkoff, A. M., Idzik, S. R., Wince, J., & Tomlinson, C. (2021). State nurse practitioner practice regulations and US health care delivery outcomes: a systematic review. Medical Care Research and Review, 78(3), 183-196. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1077558719901216

 

1. Identify and describe practice barriers for all four APNs roles in your state and discuss these barriers on a state and national level. The four roles include the nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist.
2. Identify forms of competition on the state and national level that interfere with APN’s ability to practice independently.
3. Identify the specific lawmakers by name at the state level (i.e., key members of the state’s legislative branch and executive branch of government)
4. Discuss interest groups that exist at the state and national levels that influence APN policy.
5. Discuss methods used to influence change in policy in forms of competition, state legislative and executive branches of government and interest groups.

*Please focus on the state of Illinois for this assignment.
*APA 7th edition