A New Avenue of Care: Advanced Practice Nursing
As the number of advanced practice nurses has increased in New Jersey, so has the responsibility of physicians that work with them.
May 14, 2015 at 07:38 AM
8 minute read
When Medicare and Medicaid expanded in the 1960s, nurse practitioners emerged to help meet the increased demand for primary care services not met by the then-available physician work force. Similarly today, increased demand for primary and preventive care services under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will mean that an additional 16 million people will seek health care by 2016. Our aging population means increased demand for chronic disease management services. By 2019, the demand for primary care will require 4,000 to 7,000 more physicians to maintain the level of current service. Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses (APNs), certified nurse anesthetists and doctors of nursing practice, who are sometimes referred to as “physician extenders” or “mid-level providers,” are filling this health-care gap. There are 192,000 nurse practitioners in the United States and this number is increasing by 14,000 each year.
New Jersey issues professional licenses for APNs in a variety of specialties, from anesthesiology to heart failure, and which allow them to provide care under regulations designed to increase patient care while preserving patient safety. Although they have less medical training than medical doctors, they undergo a rigorous educational and licensing process. States are increasing scope of practice laws so nurse practitioners and other physician extenders help meet this demand. However, expanding the scope of practice for nurse practitioners also expands malpractice liability. The responsibility for negligent patient injury includes not only the new nurse practitioners but also the physicians, offices and hospitals who employ them.
Regulations Governing Advanced Practice Nursing
There is wide variation amongst the states concerning the scope of practice laws that define what a nurse practitioner can do versus what a physician assistant can do. APNs in New Jersey have to meet specific educational requirements and enter into “joint protocols,” also known as a “collaborative agreements,” with collaborating physicians. Other regulations address additional patient safety requirements. APNs must have a master's degree from an accredited nursing school and must have completed a post-master's degree focusing on an advanced practice nursing specialty, such as in anesthesia or oncology. (N.J.A.C. §13:37-7.2)
NOT FOR REPRINT
© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
Trending Stories
- 1The Law Firm Disrupted: For Big Law Names, Shorter is Sweeter
- 2Wine, Dine and Grind (Through the Weekend): Summer Associates Thirst For Experience in 'Real Matters'
- 3'That's Disappointing': Only 11% of MDL Appointments Went to Attorneys of Color in 2023
- 4What We Know About the Kentucky Judge Killed in His Chambers
- 5'I'm Staying Everything': Texas Bankruptcy Judge Halts Talc Trials Against J&J
Featured Firms
Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates, P.C.
(470) 294-1674
Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone
(857) 444-6468
Smith & Hassler
(713) 739-1250