Limitations of practice are a set of policies that reduce the quality of service offered by nurse practitioners in the healthcare system. The nurse practitioner education and certification essentially prepare NPs to make complex clinical management decisions on their own and manage clients on a more advanced level than RNs.
Fortunately, California has passed a law to address primary care shortages in the state. Assembly Bill 890 takes effect on January 1, 2023, and grants independence to NPs that meet certain conditions.
To transition to independent practice, the NP must have 4,600 or a minimum of 3 full-time years of practice as an NP. Once the transition is complete, NPs can practice in limited settings where one or more doctor or surgeon practices with the NP without standardized procedures.
California’s adaptation of this “Full Practice” policy aligns with what The National Academy of Medicine ideally wants for the future. One of the organization’s goals is to allow NPs to maximize their potential and contribute immensely to the healthcare sector in their states. NPs are encouraged to participate in advocacy and contribute to conversations about adopting the “Full Practice” policy in all states.