AARP Issues Policy Supplement on APRN Scope of Practice

The new healthcare reform law, signed by President Obama in March 2010, identifies nurses as critical players in meeting the changing healthcare needs of Americans. Nurses, especially advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), can provide much of the care our nation needs. However, statutory and regulatory barriers at state and federal levels prevent many nurses from practicing to the full extent of their licensure. Because the AARP Board of Directors recognizes that legal barriers are short-changing consumers, they recently approved important changes to AARP policy. The updated AARP policy reads as follows: “Current state nurse practice acts and accompanying rules should be interpreted and/or amended where necessary to allow APRNs to fully and independently practice as defined by their education and certification.”