Policy Analysis and Influence Strategy
Running head: FOREFRONT OF CHANGE
Family Nurse Practitioners: The Forefront of Policy Change
Jeanene “Nikki” Bowen
Georgetown University Family Nurse Practitioners: The Forefront of Policy Change
In 2010 President Obama signed into law The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as The Healthcare Reform Act and Obamacare. Healthcare Reform ensures the population that they will be afforded insurance regardless of pre-existing conditions; the insurance will cover sick visits and wellness/preventative services. Due to the additional 32-46 million Americans who now have health care coverage there is a serious shortage of primary health care providers. This creates a critical need to find a resolution for the shortage of primary care providers. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRN), such as family nurse practitioners, can help fill the gap with an increase in scope of practice that allows them to practice to the full extent of their competence and education. Title 40, Chapter 33 of the South Carolina Code of Laws addresses the profession and occupation of nursing and sets forth the Nurse Practice Act. This Act explicitly lays out the role of the APRN. Section 40-33-20 defines the advanced practice registered nurse and declares the advanced practice nursing scope of practice. This law has not been updated in South Carolina since 2005 (South Carolina Legislature, 2013). On December 8th, 2014, Lauren Sausser, a journalist for The Post and Courier (a South Carolina Newspaper), published an article stating that State Representative, Jenny Horne, will introduce legislation this week to make it easier for advanced practice registered nurses to expand and practice independently in rural areas due to the shortage of primary care providers in the state (Sausser, 2014).
As mentioned previously, South Carolina State Representative, Jenny Horne, is a political champion for increased scope of practice in South Carolina. Many organizations
Family Nurse Practitioners: The Forefront of Policy Change
Jeanene “Nikki” Bowen
Georgetown University Family Nurse Practitioners: The Forefront of Policy Change
In 2010 President Obama signed into law The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as The Healthcare Reform Act and Obamacare. Healthcare Reform ensures the population that they will be afforded insurance regardless of pre-existing conditions; the insurance will cover sick visits and wellness/preventative services. Due to the additional 32-46 million Americans who now have health care coverage there is a serious shortage of primary health care providers. This creates a critical need to find a resolution for the shortage of primary care providers. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRN), such as family nurse practitioners, can help fill the gap with an increase in scope of practice that allows them to practice to the full extent of their competence and education. Title 40, Chapter 33 of the South Carolina Code of Laws addresses the profession and occupation of nursing and sets forth the Nurse Practice Act. This Act explicitly lays out the role of the APRN. Section 40-33-20 defines the advanced practice registered nurse and declares the advanced practice nursing scope of practice. This law has not been updated in South Carolina since 2005 (South Carolina Legislature, 2013). On December 8th, 2014, Lauren Sausser, a journalist for The Post and Courier (a South Carolina Newspaper), published an article stating that State Representative, Jenny Horne, will introduce legislation this week to make it easier for advanced practice registered nurses to expand and practice independently in rural areas due to the shortage of primary care providers in the state (Sausser, 2014).
As mentioned previously, South Carolina State Representative, Jenny Horne, is a political champion for increased scope of practice in South Carolina. Many organizations