Limitations of practice are the boundaries that a professional should observe in their line of duty. A primary element of limitation of practice is supervision, which hampers the nurse practitioner’s (NP’s) autonomy. Every state operates a system where the NPs could have some form of limited or unlimited practice. These practices include evaluating patients, diagnosing, interpreting diagnostic tests, initiating and managing treatments, and prescribing medication.
Limited practice is double-pronged. States with limited practice regulations either operate the reduced practice or the restricted practice.
New York is one of the states that operate the “Reduced Practice” regulation. This regulation reduces the freedom of practice in one area of NP practice. For a New York NP to practice in this area requires collaboration with a physician or health provider. That reduces the effectiveness of the healthcare system in the state, increases the cost of healthcare, reduces the patient’s access to healthcare, and creates discontent among a significant section of the nursing population.
Every NP in New York has a significant role in demanding a more independent operating environment. You can add your voice to the already powerful advocacy for full practice authority in New York. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is in the vanguard of the fight for full practice authority in New York. Organizations like the AANP publish educational resources and updates on advocacy progress in each state. NPs in New York can team up to pile pressure on state legislators to enact more practice-friendly laws like the full practice authority. This way, they can steadily brighten the future of the nursing profession and the healthcare sector in New York.