Limitations of practice are systems and structures in healthcare that negatively affect the services provided by NPs. For example, Kentucky operates the “reduced practice” regulatory structure which means that NPs are required to maintain career-long collaborative practice agreements with physicians or dentists for them to provide healthcare. Such a practice framework limits their ability to engage in at least one of the conventional roles for NPs.
This structure is not only limiting the community, but can contribute to a lack of satisfaction in one’s job because one is not allowed the autonomy to make medical decisions that one is capable of.
The National Academy of Medicine advises that the “full practice” structure should be the goal for all states. Nurses and NPs must join the struggle towards the implementation of the full practice structure in all states in the US.