PURPOSE
The purpose of this assignment is to identify the scope of practice in one’s state including level of
independence of practice, prescribing authority, any limitations of practice, process for obtaining
licensure in your state, certification and education requirements for licensure. Next, students will
discuss how the level of independence of practice in their state, i.e., reduced, restricted or full
practice, affects patient’s access to care in their local community.
QUESTIONS
please Discuss on the followings below questions 1-7
1. Nurse practitioner scope of practice in Texas
2. Level of Nurse Practitioner practice in Texas
3. Limitations of Nurse practitioner practice in Texas
4. Nurse Practitioner prescribing authority in Texas
5. Process for Nurse Practitioner to obtain licensure in state of Texas
6. Nurse Practitioner Certification and education requirements for licensure in state of Texas
7. How does nurse practitioner scope of practice in Texas affect patients access to care.
Scope of Practice and Patient Healthcare Accessibility
Student’s Name
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Scope of Practice and Patient\’s Healthcare Accessibility
Introduction
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are important professionals in healthcare. They are registered nurses who perform many of the same functions as licensed physicians. Although nurse practitioners have attained quality training and education, they are treated differently in the U.S. and some states have denied them full practice (Kleinsteuber, 2018). The purpose of this paper is to answer all the questions needed to complete the assignment.
Nurse practitioner scope of practice in Texas
The scope of practice for nurse practitioners differs from one state to another. Scope of practice is referred to the activities that an individual health professional performs concerning the delivery of patient care (HBU, 2022). In the State of Texas, the nurses do not have full practice authority. They do not enjoy as much freedom as those in other states in the US. Nurse practitioners in the State of Texas must practice under physician supervision. They must practice within 75 miles of the supervising physician.
Level of Nurse Practitioner practice in Texas
The level of NP practice in Texas is restricted practice. With the law, nurse practitioners in Texas work directly with patients, either under physician supervision, as part of a health team, or have work delegated to them by a doctor (Kleinsteuber, 2018). Nursing organizations in the State of Texas have tried to lobby for a change, but all the efforts have been unsuccessful due to physician protests.
Limitations of Nurse practitioner practice in Texas
Nurse practitioners also face some limitations, just like physicians and other healthcare providers. The main limitation of nurse practitioner practice in Texas is the restricted scope of practice. The nurse practitioners do not practice to the full extent of their education and training (Kleinsteuber, 2018). Nurse practitioners practicing in Texas are subject to laws allowing strict physician supervision in prescribing and practice.
Nurse Practitioner prescribing authority in Texas
The prescriptive authority of nurse practitioners in the State of Texas is limited. They do not have prescriptive authority and are allowed to be prescribed only under physician supervision. Additionally, they may only prescribe a 30-day supply of medications (HBU, 2022). They do not prescribe schedule 2 drugs and all the prescriptions written by NP must have the name of the supervising physician, DEA number, and phone number.
Process for Nurse Practitioner to obtain licensure in the state of Texas
Nurse practitioners in the State of Texas are licensed by the Texas Board of Nursing. All application materials are available on the board website. After completing the forms, the applicant submits them online or printed and mailed them to the APRN Application Office in Austin (Texas Board of Nursing, 2022). Nurses without prescriptive authority pay a fee of $100 and those with the authority to pay $150.
Nurse Practitioner Certification and education requirements for licensure in the state of Texas
Earning an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) from an accredited nursing school is the first step toward becoming an NP in the state of Texas. Getting the RN license by passing the exams is a requirement (Nursinglicensure.org, 2022). Also, one must complete a master’s degree program or higher. Furthermore, the student must accomplish up to a maximum of 500 clinical hours.
How does the nurse practitioner’s scope of practice in Texas affect patients’ access to care?
The nurse practitioner’s scope of practice in Texas denies them full practice authority and prescriptive authority. This scope of practice limits patients’ access to care. There are a few physicians that cannot serve the needs of all patients efficiently, leading to long waiting hours (Kleinsteuber, 2018). Sometimes it might take several days to make and see a physician. NPs are the best alternative to address patients’ problems fast and effectively.
Conclusion
Nurse practitioners are regarded as alternatives to physicians. They are capable of performing most jobs done by physicians. However, the NP scope of practice has limited the work of NPs in the State of Texas. NPs in Texas do not have full practice authority or prescriptive authority. The scope of practice has limited patients’ access to healthcare.
References
HBU. (2022). How Are Doctors and Nurse Practitioners in Texas Different? https://onlinenursing.hbu.edu/msn/how-are-doctors-and-nurse-practitioners-in-texas-different/#:~:text=While%20the%20laws%20differ%20by,%2C%20diagnose%2C%20treat%20and%20prescribe.
Kleinsteuber, K. (2018). Utilization of film and social media for full practice authority for advanced practice registered nurses in Texas. Health policy and technology, 7(1), 23-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hlpt.2018.01.007
Nursinglicensure.org. (2022). Advanced Practice Registered Nurse License Requirements in Texas. https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/texas-nurse-practitioner/
Texas Board of Nursing. (2022). Practice – APRN Scope of Practice. https://www.bon.texas.gov/practice_scope_of_practice_aprn.asp.html