Limitations of Practice are factors that affect the quality and quantity of services rendered by an NP in Florida. Florida operates a “Full Practice” policy which allows NPs to practice autonomously.
In July 2020, NPs with a minimum of 3,000 experience hours under the supervision of a physician were granted the right to operate independent primary care practices in Florida. A course in graduate-level differential diagnosis and pharmacology is also required. NPs can now use the full extent of their knowledge and training to treat patients.
The National Academy of Medicine ascribes the Full Practice model as the gold standard. If all states operate at such a level, nurse practitioners will be given more autonomy and responsibility for the clinical management of patients. They will be useful at the primary healthcare level through preventive care and health education.
Nurses are advised to join the advocacy efforts of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and other associations to highlight the need for full practice to be implemented in all states.