Nurse-run clinics came into existence years ago as a response to meet the public’s healthcare needs of people in the nation’s communities. Today, as the nursing profession responds to the recommendations from the 2010 Institute of Medicine and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation report “Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health” and various states begin to implement the recommendations, these clinics have the potential to have an even larger impact on patients.
The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners fully endorses the Future of Nursing report and its recommendations, including the first recommendation to “remove scope-of-practice barriers” and allow nurses to practice to the full extent of their education and training. To achieve this, the report recommended Congress expand Medicare to include coverage of APN services and extend Medicaid reimbursement rates to APNs providing services similar to physicians. For state legislatures, the IOM’s recommendations were to reform scope-of-practice regulations and require third party payers in fee-for-service arrangements to reimburse APNs working within their scope of practice. Several states are working toward that end and seeing the fruits of their labors.
Sharon Canariato, RN, MSN, MBA, executive director, Illinois Organization of Nurse Leaders, highlighted success in initiating recommendations while speaking to nurses at the April 24 Nurse.com career fair in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. Canariato shared that my home state of Illinois continues to consider legislative initiatives to advance APN practice. For instance, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has finalized the Schedule 2 Prescribing Policy as passed in the spring of 2011. APNs in Illinois now may prescribe oral, topical or transdermal schedule 2 medications. And more changes to APN practice in the U.S. are sure to come in the future.
What hasn’t changed is APNs have the opportunity to contribute to healthy outcomes with the high-quality care they provide in nurse-run clinics. And, as you’ll read in this issue’s cover story, nurse-managed clinics are influencing low-income and uninsured populations in a positive way. The proof: Lower rates of hospitalization for patients who receive care in nurse-managed centers, as the centers step up efforts to screen patients for underlying illnesses and promote healthy lifestyles.
While APNs remain hands-on in communities, action coalitions actively seek to build a brighter future for all nurses. And as state and federal changes that affect APN practice are implemented, we should see improved access to care for patients and better quality outcomes over time.
This is a moment in nursing when all of us can influence positive change. As an APN, you have a vested interest in getting involved. You can start by joining the action coalition in your state. Visit ChampionNursing.org/Action-Coalitions to find out more about how to help bring the IOM’s recommendations to fruition.
The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners fully endorses the Future of Nursing report and its recommendations, including the first recommendation to “remove scope-of-practice barriers” and allow nurses to practice to the full extent of their education and training. To achieve this, the report recommended Congress expand Medicare to include coverage of APN services and extend Medicaid reimbursement rates to APNs providing services similar to physicians. For state legislatures, the IOM’s recommendations were to reform scope-of-practice regulations and require third party payers in fee-for-service arrangements to reimburse APNs working within their scope of practice. Several states are working toward that end and seeing the fruits of their labors.
Sharon Canariato, RN, MSN, MBA, executive director, Illinois Organization of Nurse Leaders, highlighted success in initiating recommendations while speaking to nurses at the April 24 Nurse.com career fair in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. Canariato shared that my home state of Illinois continues to consider legislative initiatives to advance APN practice. For instance, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has finalized the Schedule 2 Prescribing Policy as passed in the spring of 2011. APNs in Illinois now may prescribe oral, topical or transdermal schedule 2 medications. And more changes to APN practice in the U.S. are sure to come in the future.
What hasn’t changed is APNs have the opportunity to contribute to healthy outcomes with the high-quality care they provide in nurse-run clinics. And, as you’ll read in this issue’s cover story, nurse-managed clinics are influencing low-income and uninsured populations in a positive way. The proof: Lower rates of hospitalization for patients who receive care in nurse-managed centers, as the centers step up efforts to screen patients for underlying illnesses and promote healthy lifestyles.
While APNs remain hands-on in communities, action coalitions actively seek to build a brighter future for all nurses. And as state and federal changes that affect APN practice are implemented, we should see improved access to care for patients and better quality outcomes over time.
This is a moment in nursing when all of us can influence positive change. As an APN, you have a vested interest in getting involved. You can start by joining the action coalition in your state. Visit ChampionNursing.org/Action-Coalitions to find out more about how to help bring the IOM’s recommendations to fruition.
Cheryl Portner, RN, MSN, is vice president, staff development & training/nurse executive, Gannett Healthcare Group
