Data shows nurse practitioners produce equivalent outcomes to physicians, even while serving patients with full-practice authority, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. However, most states only allow NPs reduced or restricted practice, meaning they are unable to evaluate and diagnose patients, interpret tests, manage treatments and prescribe medications without partial or full physician supervision.
As the country faces a growing provider shortage, many organizations, including AANP, believe NPs should be granted greater authority to provide care. While laws differ between states, NPs are drawn to regions where they can serve with full practice authority, which could lead to significant public health implications if distribution becomes too uneven, according to AANP.
Here is the current NP practice environment by state, presented by AANP.
States with full-practice authority
Alaska
Arizona
Colorado
Connecticut
Hawaii
Idaho
Iowa
Maine
Minnesota
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada (recently changed)
New Hampshire
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oregon
Rhode Island
Vermont
Washington
Washington D.C.
Wyoming
States with reduced practice authority
Alabama
Arkansas
Delaware
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Mississippi
New Jersey
New York
Ohio
Pennsylvania
South Dakota
Utah
West Virginia
Wisconsin
States with restricted practice authority
California
Florida
Georgia
Massachusetts
Michigan
Missouri
North Carolina
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
More articles on integration and physician issues:
67% of physicians know a colleague considering leaving medicine
Pennsylvania Department of Health to reopen community health centers
66% of physicians think PPACA should be repealed