Committee Hearing Scheduled for New Jersey Barrier Reduction Bill NEED YOUR HELP! A message from AANP re: Full Practice Authority

Dear AANP New Jersey members,

All of the efforts by New Jersey NPs to build relationships with policymakers and watch for a good opportunity to move forward on legislation that removes barriers to patient care and makes it easier for NPs to bring their best to patients are starting to pay off.

Senate Bill 1961 has been scheduled for a hearing in the Committee on Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens on June 3, 2019.

As introduced, this bill would remove the requirement for an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) to maintain a joint protocol with a physician in order to prescribe medications. APNs who complete 24 months or 2,400 hours of practice in a formal collaborating agreement would be authorized to prescribe without these agreements. This bill would also require an APN to complete an additional 10 hours of continuing education for licensure renewal and would provide APNs with global signature authority.

AANP will continue to engage in S.B. 1961 and other New Jersey legislation this year. As introduced, S.B. 1961 would:

• Remove unnecessary regulatory red tape that keeps NJ from using its healthcare workforce to its full potential
• Bring NJ into alignment with national standards and recommendations for APN licensure
• Position NJ to competitively recruit NPs to the state
• Streamline care delivery for more efficient and cost-effective care delivery

You may track the progress of this bill and other New Jersey legislation by visiting AANP's State Legislation Tracking Center or by visiting the AANP Advocacy Center to look up your legislator and lend your voice to these efforts. AANP will provide updates to our members as this bill and others relevant to nurse practitioner practice move through the legislative process.

Want to know more about why full and direct access to NPs is so important? Or how improved access and streamlined care improve health outcomes and reduce cost? Check out the AANP issue briefs on Full Practice Authority and Signature Recognition.

Thank you,

Joan Zaccardi, DNP, APN, FAANP
New Jersey AANP State Representative

Jamie Kings
AANP State Policy Analyst

Posted by:  V. Eftychiou, APN