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ROLE AND SCOPE OF PRACTICE OF PMHNP 1

ROLE AND SCOPE OF PRACTICE OF PMHNP 4

Role and Scope of Practice of PMHNP

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Role and Scope of Practice of PMHNP

The Florida Board of Nursing is the major body that is involved in the regulation of nursing practice in Florida including; the role of PMHNP (Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner). The scope of practice for the PMHNP role in the state of Florida requires a PMHNP to have completed a doctoral or master’s degree, particularly in psychiatric nursing, have a national certification in this specialty area, and have at least two years of clinical experience after completing his/her master’s degree under the physician’s supervision to undertake this role (Florida board of nursing, 2021).

Additionally, PMHNPs in the state of Florida are needed to have an established or supervisory protocol with their supervising psychiatrists and undertake the functions and responsibilities that are specified in this protocol, which may include; administering and prescribing medications (Florida board of nursing, 2021). For instance, PMHNPs in this state who have a supervisory protocol with their physicians might prescribe and administer psychotropic controlled substances to patients with mental disorders (Florida board of nursing, 2021).

However, the recently enacted legislation allows full practice authority to PMHNPs who have three thousand hours or more of experience under the supervision of a psychiatrist (Phillips, 2021). This enables them to practice independently in primary care practices within the state of Florida (Phillips, 2021). To practice independently, PMHNPs are also required to have completed the needed course work in pharmacology and differential diagnosis (Phillips, 2021).

As such, the current regulations do not present any barrier to the delivery and access of mental health services and care. For instance, the recently enacted legislation that provides the PMHNP with full practice authority will help in promoting full access to mental healthcare among individuals in this state.

The cultures or groups that will be impacted by the current scope of practice regulations in this state are rural populations since they constitute the major group that is often underserved. As such, the current regulations will help in improving the accessibility of mental health services and care among rural populations.

References

Florida board of nursing. (2021). Florida board of nursing » advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Florida Board of Nursing - Licensing, Renewals & Information. https://floridasnursing.gov/nursing-faqs/advanced-practice-registered-nurse-aprn/

Phillips, S. J. (2021). 33rd Annual APRN Legislative Update: Unprecedented changes to APRN practice authority in unprecedented times. The Nurse Practitioner, 46(1), 27-55.