MS Nurse Practitioners on the Verge of Full Practice Authority with House Bill 98
House Bill 98, authored by Representative Donnie Scoggin, aims to provide full practice authority to nurse practitioners in Mississippi. The bill proposes to exempt nurse practitioners from the current requirement of a collaborative agreement with a physician after completing 3,600 hours of practice. For Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), the exemption would apply after 8,000 practice hours. If passed, this legislation may reshape the delivery of primary care services in Mississippi, similar to 27 other states who have adopted NP practice independence.
The Current Landscape of Nurse Practitioner Practice in Mississippi
Today, nurse practitioners in Mississippi operate under a restrictive model that requires them to enter into collaborative agreements with physicians. This arrangement mandates physician oversight for NPs, limiting their ability to practice independently and potentially hindering access to care, especially in underserved areas. The existing framework has long been a point of contention among healthcare professionals and policymakers, sparking debates about the most effective way to utilize the skills and expertise of advanced practice nurses.
House Bill 98: A Path to Full Practice Authority
Key points of Mississippi’s House Bill 98 include:
- Amending the Mississippi Nursing Practice Law to include Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in its statement of purpose.
- Revising the composition of the Mississippi Board of Nursing to include a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
- Updating definitions related to advanced nursing practice.
This legislation aligns with a growing trend across the United States, as Mississippi would join 27 other states that have granted full practice authority to nurse practitioners. Proponents argue that this change could help address Mississippi's significant physician shortage, particularly in rural areas.
Advocates argue the bill could potentially:
- Increase access to primary care services, particularly in rural and underserved areas where physician shortages are most acute.
- Reduce healthcare costs by allowing NPs to practice independently, potentially lowering overhead expenses associated with collaborative agreements.
- Improve patient outcomes by enabling NPs to provide timely, comprehensive care without the need for physician sign-off on routine matters.
- Attract more NPs to practice in Mississippi, potentially alleviating the state's healthcare workforce shortages.
The bill has been referred to the House Public Health Committee for consideration. If passed, it would allow nurse practitioners to work to the full extent of their training and education, potentially filling numerous healthcare gaps in the state.
Stakeholder Perspectives and Ongoing Debates
While House Bill 98 has garnered support from many in the nursing community and healthcare reform advocates, it has also faced opposition. Some physicians' groups have expressed concerns about patient safety and the importance of team-based care models. The debate surrounding the bill highlights the ongoing discussions about the evolving roles of different healthcare professionals and the best approaches to ensuring high-quality, accessible care for all Mississippi residents.
As Mississippi grapples with healthcare challenges, including provider shortages and access issues, the outcome of House Bill 98 could play a crucial role in shaping the state's healthcare future. Whether the bill ultimately becomes law or not, its introduction has already sparked important conversations about the role of advanced practice nurses in meeting the healthcare needs of Mississippi's diverse population.
Nurse.org will continue to update this article as new information about the bill’s passage is known. In the meantime, do you think NPs should have full practice authority? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
🤔 Nurses, let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
If you have a nursing news story that deserves to be heard, we want to amplify it to our massive community of millions of nurses! Get your story in front of Nurse.org Editors now - click here to fill out our quick submission form today!
