Peer response

 

The roles of the Registered Nurse and the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse are closely connected because the foundation of nursing practice begins at the bedside. However, the responsibilities and authority between the two roles are very different. As an RN, the primary focus is on implementing and supporting the plan of care created by the provider, continuously monitoring the patient, recognizing changes in condition, and advocating for what the patient needs. When transitioning into the APRN role, you move into the position of the provider. APRNs perform comprehensive assessments, diagnose conditions, develop treatment plans, prescribe medications, and determine overall patient outcomes. This shift represents a major change in responsibility, moving from carrying out orders to creating and managing the entire plan of care.

In Florida, the scope of practice for both RNs and APRNs is outlined in the Nurse Practice Act and overseen by the Florida Board of Nursing. Florida law allows APRNs to manage patient care, prescribe medications, and order diagnostic testing under physician supervision unless the APRN has met criteria for autonomous practice (Florida Statutes, 2025). Regardless of practice arrangement, APRNs remain legally responsible for safe prescribing, accurate documentation, and ensuring appropriate follow-up. From an ethical perspective, APRNs must balance their autonomy with patient safety, weighing risks and benefits while also navigating between patient needs and regulatory limits (Bernard et al., 2025).

APRNs are vital during epidemics and in areas where access to care is limited, although their full potential is sometimes underused depending on state restrictions. Research shows that nurse practitioner care for patients with mental health conditions produces outcomes comparable to physician care while improving access, especially within underserved communities (Turi et al., 2023). In addition, studies in the Veterans Health Administration demonstrate that having APRNs as part of the healthcare team improves coordination of services and expands access for veterans with complex chronic illnesses (Rugs et al., 2021).

In addition to providing direct care, APRNs carry the ethical responsibility to advocate for vulnerable populations, promote access, and help shift the idea that healthcare must be exclusively physician-driven. At the same time, APRNs must practice within their legal scope to prevent harm to both patients and themselves. By speaking up, using evidence, and practicing safely, APRNs can contribute to a lasting change in healthcare delivery.

Bernard, R., Shaffer, P. B., D' Souza, S. L., Ben-Joseph, E. P., & Kavali, C. M. (2025). Autonomous nurse practitioners in florida frequently practice outside their legal scope of primary care: A cross-sectional study. Family Practice, 43(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmaf104

Rugs, D., Toyinbo, P., Barrett, B., Melillo, C., Chavez, M., Cowan, L., Jensen, P. K., Engstrom, C., Battaglia, C., Thorne-Odem, S., Sullivan, S. C., & Powell-Cope, G. (2021). A preliminary evaluation of full practice authority of advanced practice registered nurses in the Veterans Health Administration. Nursing Outlook, 69(2), 147–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2020.11.005

Turi, E., McMenamin, A., Kueakomoldej, S., Kurtzman, E., & Poghosyan, L. (2023). The effectiveness of nurse practitioner care for patients with mental health conditions in primary care settings: A systematic review. Nursing Outlook, 71(4), 101995. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2023.101995

Florida Statutes. (2025). Chapter 464: Nurse Practice Act. https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/