NPs or Nurse Practitioners is an advanced practice nurse who is capable of providing a comprehensive level of holistic care to patients. Many people wonder can a nurse practitioner have their own practice which this article thoroughly answers.
For example, many states in the US do allow NPs to act as the primary care providers, managing their patients from birth all the way through the aging process.
Many NPs are motivated by the prospect of opening their own practice. Even though simply qualifying as an NP offers a vast level of autonomy, having their own practice offers even further independence.
Now it’s time to take a closer look at the states and countries whether can a nurse practitioner have their own practice or not.
See also: Do NPs Need Malpractice Insurance?
Table of Contents
Can a nurse practitioner open their own practice in Georgia?
One of the fastest-growing states in the USA is bucking the trend, laws pertaining to the independent practice of NPs in the state are not moving in the same direction as the rest of the country.
They are beginning to far behind the rest of the country when it comes to offering NPs any level of freedom to practice their profession. The laws in Georgia governing the scope of practice for NPs are among the most restrictive in the country.
An NP in Georgia can only practice under the supervision of a physician. A Nurse Protocol in Georgia is put in place to ensure that this happens at all times.
This nurse protocol is a document signed by both the NP and the supervising physician, and the NP is offered the authority to perform certain medical acts.
By offering this authority the physician agrees to always be available for an immediate consultation with the NP. The crux of this agreement means nurse practitioners need to be in close proximity to their delegated physicians at all times while they practice.
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Let’s move on to other states of the USA.
Can a nurse practitioner open their own practice in Florida?
No, they can’t, but due to the shortage of primary care providers in the state and across the nation, the state is looking to pass legislation to alleviate the problem, they are considering offering FPA (full practice authority) to suitably qualified NPs.
A study has shown that the state will need another 5000 PCP (Primary Care Providers) in the next ten years just to keep up with demand.
The FLANP (Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners) have been campaigning strongly for this much-required legislation to be passed.
Pointing to the state’s aging demographic which is not merely leading to skyrocketing healthcare costs, but also reduced quality of life for many aging baby boomers.
They argue that Florida should follow the example of other states and offer NPs the opportunity to work independently and this will reduce cost as well as offering increased access to primary care.
This will also help attract the additional 5000 PCPs the state needs over the next decade.
But when can a nurse practitioner have their own practice in Florida? Time will show it.
Florida-related articles of ours that you might be interested in:
No? Okay, let’s move on.
Can a nurse practitioner have their own practice in New York?
New York seems to fall between the two extremes, while the state law does not require an NP to work under the supervision of a Physician, they are held independently responsible for diagnosing and treating their patients.
Despite the fact that they are held independently responsible and do not need to act under physician supervision.
They are not allowed to practice independently. They are required to follow a written practice agreement and written practice protocols and with a collaborating physician.
As of Jan 1st, 2015 nurse practitioners with over 3600 hours of practical qualifying experience have the option to do the following:
- A) They can continue working under a collaborating physician in accordance with their written practice agreement and written practice protocols.
- B) They can form collaborative agreements with one or more health care facilities licensed by the New York State Health Department or with one or more qualified physicians. This law means NPs can operate with a greater level of autonomy, but as yet are not considered independent practitioners.
What states can nurse practitioners have their own practice then? That’s coming up next.
See also: Can Nurses Do PDO Threads?
What states can nurse practitioners have their own practice?
As of December 2019, 28 states offer NPs higher-level working environments. Please note that regulations change from time to time.
There are 14 states where NPs can operate independently with requiring thousands of hours of experience. Let’s take a closer look at those.
Can a nurse practitioner have their own practice in Alaska?
Alaska allows all nurse practitioners to have FPA. This allows them the freedom to diagnose and evaluate patients, manage their treatment plans and analyze tests.
They are also allowed to prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances, once they are passed the application protocols and requirements.
Read more about nurse practitioners’ privilege to prescribe medication.
Can a nurse practitioner have their own practice in Arizona?
Fully Arizona State Board of Nursing licensed NPs in Arizona are offered full prescriptive authority.
They must submit a CSPMP (Controlled Substance Prescription Monitoring Program) and register with the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) before they are fully licensed to prescribe medication to their patients.
Can a nurse practitioner have their own practice in Hawaii?
Hawaii allows all nurse practitioners to have FPA.
This allows them the freedom to diagnose and evaluate patients, manage their treatment plans and analyze tests.
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Hawaii is purported to have the narrowest pools of licensed NPs, yet they offer some of the most attractive salaries in the nation. An NPs average salary in Hawaii is over $120,000 annually.
Can a nurse practitioner have their own practice in Idaho?
NPs in Idaho also have FPA.
They enjoy the freedom to treat, advise and diagnose patients. Due to the rural nature of the state, NPs can earn an APRN (advanced practice registered nurse) license, where they can be granted the right to prescribe certain medications to their patients.
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They are required to complete 30 hours of CE (continuous education) courses to obtain the authority to write prescriptions.
There is an agreement between Idaho and Wyoming that allows licensed NPs to practice in both states.
Can a nurse practitioner have their own practice in Wyoming?
NPs in Wyoming have FPA, the guidelines governing licensure in this state are among the most lenient in the nation.
This is due to their rural nature and the difficulty patients have getting access to qualified medical practitioners.
The APN passed between them and their neighbors in Idaho was designed to allow the residents of both states to gain access to more qualified medical professionals and specialists.
Can a nurse practitioner have their own practice in Montana?
NPs in Montana can also operate without the oversight of a physician, but they are required to complete advanced courses in both disease management and pharmacology.
In order to get the license to write prescriptions, they must submit an application to the states Prescriptive Authority.
Can a nurse practitioner have their own practice in New Hampshire?
Any NP who has earned an APRN license is able to apply for full practice authority in the state.
They also are given the authority to prescribe certain non-controlled and controlled substances.
Can a nurse practitioner have their own practice in New Mexico?
Qualified NPs in the state have the right to develop treatment plans and diagnose patients or communities.
If they register with the DEA the state may grant them the right to prescribe schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances.
Can a nurse practitioner have their own practice in Oregon?
Qualified NPs in the state possess the right to develop treatment plans and diagnose patients or communities.
Oregan offers NPs the highest salaries in the nation as well as offering them FPA. Any NP with an APRN license will also be granted full prescriptive authority.
If you want to know more about nurses’ salaries, check out this article of ours: Do Nurses Make Good Money?
Can a nurse practitioner have their own practice in Rhode Island?
While NPs are offered FPA, they must pass the Uniform Controlled Substances Act Registration test to gain a broad right to have prescriptive authority.
Once they have gained global signature authority, they will be free to write prescriptions without the need for physician oversight.
Can a nurse practitioner have their own practice in Washington?
Nurse practitioners in Washington can independently treat or diagnose patients without the need for physician oversight.
They are also allowed to prescribe schedule V controlled substances as well as other medications.
Can a nurse practitioner have their own practice in North Dakota?
NPs are allowed to treat patients independently and once they have completed the state-mandated 30 hours of pharmacology coursework they are granted the right to prescribe medications.
As yet they are not subject to the state’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.
Can a nurse practitioner have their own practice in Utah?
Nurse practitioners in Utah free to practice without physician supervision.
They are licenses to treat and diagnose common health problems as well as administer and prescribe medications.
The first 14 states listed so place some restrictions on NPs, most of which are down to professional qualifications.
In the next 14, we list ask NPs to have a minimum number of hours working under physician oversight before the can operate independently.
- Colorado: a minimum of 1,000 hours to gain prescriptive authority
- Connecticut: 3 years experience and a minimum of 2,000 hours
- Delaware: 2 years experience and 4,000 hours
- Illinois: 4,000 hours
- Kentucky: 4 years
- Maine: 2 years
- Maryland: 1.5 years
- Minnesota: 2,080 hours
- Nebraska: 2,000 hours
- Nevada: 2 years or 2,000 hours
- South Dakota: 1,040 hours
- Vermont: 2 years and 2,400 hours
- Virginia:5 years and 9,000 hours
- West Virginia: 3 years
Conclusion: Can a nurse practitioner have their own practice?
In short, nurse practitioners can have their own practice in many locations in the USA.
Different states have different requirements for NPs so be sure to check them out above.
If you would like to learn more check out these articles of ours about nurse practitioners:
- Can a Nurse Practitioner Prescribe Medication?
- Can Nurse Practitioners Diagnose?
- Can Nurse Practitioners Do Surgery?
- Can Nurse Practitioners Intubate?
- Do Nurses Buy Their Own Scrubs?
- Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant
- How Many Nurse Practitioners Can a Physician Supervise?
- Can a Registered Nurse Open a Medical Spa?
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