professor response

Thank you for your Week 1 discussion participation.

What are your thoughts on autonomous practice for nurse practitioners? In the state of Florida, nurse practitioners are eligible for autonomous practice under Florida Statute 464.0123. This statute allows Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to provide primary care services—including diagnosing and managing health conditions—without the supervision of a physician.

This advancement represents a significant step toward expanding healthcare access, particularly in rural and underserved communities where physician shortages are common. By allowing APRNs to practice independently, Florida not only recognizes the advanced clinical training of nurse practitioners but also helps bridge gaps in the healthcare delivery system.

To be eligible for autonomous practice, APRNs must fulfill specific requirements, such as completing a designated number of supervised clinical practice hours and graduate-level coursework in their specialty area. These requirements help ensure that APRNs are fully prepared to deliver high-quality, safe, and effective care independently.

Reference

Florida Board of Nursing. (2020). Autonomous practice by an advanced practice registered nurse. Retrieved from http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0400-0499/0464/Sections/0464.0123.html