Legislation that would give advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) independent practice authority in Ohio has been introduced again. In 2016, after 18 months of working with elected officials and the nurses, a bill passed that made amenable modifications to the APRN scope of practice, but did NOT include independent practice authority. We achieved that victory because together, we successfully advocated for the physician-led, team-based approach to patient care.
We need your help again! Contact your legislator today to let them know that physicians and APRNs are not interchangeable. If high-quality, appropriate patient care is the goal for patients in our state, House Bill (HB) 177 should not be enacted.
It is quick and easy to send a message to your legislator using the American Academy of Family physicians’ Speak Out system!
As a family physician who practices in your legislative district, I strongly urge you to oppose HB 177, pending legislation which would give Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) independent practice authority, meaning the ability to practice with no physician collaboration on patient care.
APRNs have a unique and important role in the health care team but have not completed medical school and residency training that affords them the same knowledge, training, experience, and skills as those who have. The training of an APRN is more equivalent to a third year medical student than a primary care physician who has completed four years of medical school and a three-year residency program in addition to an undergraduate degree. The argument that an APRN can “do everything a physician can do,” is extremely concerning, as many APRNs have less than half the education and training that I do as a family physician.
The skills, knowledge, and abilities of APRNs and physicians are not equivalent, but are complementary. The most effective way to maximize the talents and skill sets of both professionals is to work as a team to care for patients in a physician-led, team-based approach. Additionally, the majority of patients consistently indicate they prefer this model and want their treatment to be led by a physician.
HB 216 of the 131st Ohio General Assembly gave APRNs several expansions in scope. However, independent practice authority for APRNs was not included due to patient safety concerns. There is no good reason to re-visit this issue so soon after the effective date of HB 216 as none of these patient safety concerns have been alleviated.
If appropriate, high-quality patient care is the goal for the citizens of Ohio, HB 177 should not be enacted. Please vote no.