Barriers to APN Practice

Posted: July 7th, 2022

Barriers for APNs’ Roles

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.
Identify forms of competition on the state and national level that interfere with APNs’ ability to practice independently.
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)
Discuss interest groups that exist at the state and national levels that influence APN policy.
Discuss methods used to influence change in policy in forms of competition, state legislative and executive branches of government, and interest groups.
A scholarly resource must be used for EACH discussion question each week.

Barriers to APN Practice

Advanced practice nurses (APNs) are highly trained healthcare professionals who provide a wide range of services, including diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications, and ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests. However, APNs face a number of barriers to practice, both at the state and national levels.

State-Level Barriers

The most common state-level barriers to APN practice include:

Lack of full practice authority. In many states, APNs are required to have a collaborative agreement with a physician in order to practice independently. This means that they must have the physician’s approval before they can order medications, admit patients to the hospital, or perform certain procedures.
Reimbursement restrictions. In some states, insurance companies do not reimburse APNs at the same rate as they reimburse physicians. This can make it difficult for APNs to establish their own practices or to obtain employment in hospitals or other healthcare settings.
Lack of public awareness. Many people are not aware of the role of APNs in the healthcare system. This can make it difficult for APNs to gain referrals from physicians and to build relationships with patients.

National-Level Barriers

The most common national-level barriers to APN practice include:

Lack of federal legislation. There is no federal legislation that guarantees APNs the right to practice independently. This means that APNs in different states have different levels of practice authority, depending on the laws of their state.
Lack of funding for APN education. The cost of APN education is high, and many students are unable to afford to attend APN programs. This can limit the number of APNs who are available to practice.
Lack of APN representation in policy-making circles. APNs are underrepresented in policy-making circles, which can make it difficult for them to advocate for their own interests.

Forms of Competition

In addition to these legal and financial barriers, APNs also face competition from other healthcare professionals, such as physicians and physician assistants. This competition can be especially fierce in areas where there is a shortage of healthcare providers.

Lawmakers

The specific lawmakers who influence APN policy at the state level vary from state to state. However, some of the key lawmakers who are involved in APN policy include:

Members of the state legislature. The state legislature is responsible for passing laws that regulate the practice of APNs.
The governor. The governor has the power to sign or veto laws that are passed by the state legislature.
The state board of nursing. The state board of nursing is responsible for licensing and regulating APNs.

Interest Groups

There are a number of interest groups that influence APN policy at the state and national levels. Some of the most important interest groups include:

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). The AANP is the largest professional organization for APNs. The AANP advocates for the rights of APNs and works to improve the quality of care that APNs provide.
The American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM). The ACNM is the professional organization for nurse midwives. The ACNM advocates for the rights of nurse midwives and works to improve the quality of care that nurse midwives provide.
The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). The AANA is the professional organization for nurse anesthetists. The AANA advocates for the rights of nurse anesthetists and works to improve the quality of care that nurse anesthetists provide.

Methods to Influence Change

There are a number of methods that can be used to influence change in APN policy. These methods include:

Advocating with lawmakers. APNs can advocate with lawmakers to pass laws that support APN practice.
Educating the public. APNs can educate the public about the role of APNs in the healthcare system.
Working with interest groups. APNs can work with interest groups to advocate for APN policy.

Conclusion

APNs face a number of barriers to practice, both at the state and national levels. These barriers can make it difficult for APNs to provide quality care to patients and to build successful careers. However, there are a number of methods that can be used to influence change in APN policy. By working together, APNs can overcome these barriers and ensure that they have the opportunity to practice to the full extent of their education and training.

References

American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (