AAPM&R State Advocacy: Louisiana APRNs Seek Changes to Practice Authority Requirements

May 26, 2021

On May 24, 2021, your Academy’s State Advocacy Committee released a call to action asking all members in Louisiana to contact their legislator in opposition to House Bill (H.B.) 495.

The amended bill allows APRNs to practice independently after 4,000 patient contact hours under a new “mentorship,” which can be done with a physician, dentist or advanced practice registered nurse (who has a minimum set of qualifications not yet determined by the Board of Nursing). During this mentorship, the nurse practitioner is to establish their own “collaborative practice guidelines,” under which they will practice medicine beyond the 4,000 hours under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Nursing. The bill becomes effective on Jan. 1, 2022, which only allows 6 months for the State Board of Nursing to conduct rule making.

Your Academy continues to address member concerns of the ongoing efforts by non-physician providers to expand their scope of practice beyond their level of training, as it may threaten the health and safety of patient care. Your Academy considers APRNs, to be a vital part of the caregiving team. However, your Academy also believes that physician-led, patient-centered, team-based care is the best approach to providing optimized care for patients.

Learn more about what your Academy is doing to defend physiatrists' scope of practice.