Limitations of practice are systems or structures that negatively affect the quality of services rendered by nurse practitioners. This can affect their job satisfaction and ability to effect any positive change in the healthcare system.
Kansas is one of the states that still run the “reduced practice” regulatory structure. This structure requires NPs to be in career-long collaborative agreements with other health practitioners, particularly doctors and dentists. This plays down on the NP’s ability to make complex health management decisions as their education and experience have equipped them to.
The National Academy of Medicine believes that the “full practice” structure is ideal as it allows NPs more autonomy and responsibility in the healthcare team, particularly at the primary level. Nurses and NPs are advised to participate in advocacy exploits and join hands with agencies and associations like the AANP towards the implementation of the full practice regulatory structure in all states.