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The Interwebs are Abuzz

The interwebs are abuzz with the latest AP article, Doc deficit? Nurses' role may may grow in 28 states. The article is pretty well balanced and has views from patients, nurse practitioners and our physician colleagues. There is a sense and some from the medical community imply that NPs are trying to expand scope of practice. I think that is a fairly short-sided and inaccurate view of what is going on at the state level. Most of the collaboration and supervisory regulations were written when the profession was brand new, is not based on any evidence, and does nothing to improve the quality of care as they are retrospective in nature. Removing statutory collaboration or supervision would not change how NPs are educated or trained. It would however, increase access to more providers.

Each day I see how breakdowns in communication and how ill-planned initiatives negatively impact patient care. This has little to do with the knowledge base of the providers rather than not knowing how to work together and ensure everyone is on the same page. It is so cliche but what we often have is a failure to communicate.

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