A new Delaware law giving nurse practitioners more practice authority is being praised by the profession's national organization, but state doctors are skeptical of its real impact.
Delaware has joined 23 US states, the District of Columbia, and two US territories in allowing advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to provide care to patients independently of physicians. Proponents of the law, signed on August 4 by Delaware Governor John Carney, say that its passage will increase access to care for patients and reduce healthcare disparities. The law's critics say that its passage won't improve access to care for patients in rural areas, where the need is greatest. The law took effect upon receipt of the governor's signature.
The increased scope of services provided by APRNs includes advanced assessment, diagnosing, prescribing, and ordering, per the Delaware law. Included in this category of clinicians are certified nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists.
The law also stipulates that nurses providing these services have a basic nursing education; licensure as a registered nurse; graduation from or completion of a graduate-level APRN program accredited by a national accrediting body and current certification by a national certifying body in the appropriate APRN role; and at least one population focus.
