University of Texas, Arlington - NURS 5350  Nurse Practitioner Delegated Authority  Texas vs

As far as I have heard, nurse practitioners practice under the supervision and in collaboration with a physician. A contract or agreement is signed between the doctor and the nurse practitioner and every order and prescription is reviewed and then signed by the supervising physician. This is the information I have heard from nurse practitioners who practice in the state of Texas, but other states have different practices, some which give a nurse practitioner a lot more freedom.

According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (n.d.), practice environment varies from state to state and can be one of three: full practice, reduced practice, or restricted practice. Comparing Texas to Arizona, for example, one is restricted practice while the other is full practice. Defined by the AANP (n.d.), full practice means, “state practice and licensure laws permit all NPs to evaluate patients; diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests; and initiate and manage treatments, including prescribing medications and controlled substances, under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing”. Restricted practice is said to mean that the “state practice and licensure laws restrict the ability of NPs to engage in at least one element of NP practice. State law requires career-long supervision, delegation or team management by another health provider in order for the NP to provide patient care” (AANP, n.d.). In other words, a nurse practitioner can independently practice in Arizona, while a nurse practitioner in Texas must have the supervision of a physician.

What is the difference?