One of the primary policies that influence the role of Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Miami, Florida is a Nurse Practice Act issued by the Florida Board of Nursing. This act identifies the main aspects of nursing practice in Florida, including the provision of high-quality care, common misconducts and penalties, licensure, education, standards of practice, ethics, and many more issues (Florida Board of Nursing, 2007). This document has a substantial influence on the role of APRNs because it provides a legal basis that covers a variety of topics and offers guidance on how nurses should represent their profession.
One of the recent public policy initiatives advocated for by the LeadingAge organization is the expansion of the prescribing authority of APRNs. This policy allows prescription of any controlled substances to APRNs and PAs effective on January 1, 2017 (Florida Board of Nursing, 2016). Such change enables nurses to act more effectively and use their own judgment to address their patients’ needs. APRN role has greatly expanded and now provides an opportunity for professional growth through taking additional personal responsibility for the drugs they prescribe.
A notable social program that affects the role of APRNs is a Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP). This initiative allows women with first-time pregnancies to receive free home visits from nurses since the onset of their pregnancy and up to two years after the child is born (Florida Department of Health, n.d.). Despite it being mostly enacted through the participation of RNs, APRNs and, most importantly, certified nurse midwives can also engage and hone their skills of communication with their primary clients. Thus, their role benefits from another opportunity to become a better professional while addressing the needs of the local population through engagement with social programs.
References
Florida Board of Nursing. (2007). Nursing Practice Act. Web.
Florida Board of Nursing. (2016). Important legislative update for the medical and nursing professions. Web.
Florida Department of Health. (n.d.). Nurse-Family Partnership Program. Web.