Currently, APRNs have certain requirements and restrictions on their practice. The SAVE Act is a bill that, if passed, would ease restrictions for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. It is a reintroduction of the same bill that was not passed in 2020 because the session ending. The 2021 SAVE Act was introduced to the NC General Assembly on March 11, 2021 and will be voted on later this year.
WHAT DOES THE SAVE ACT MEAN FOR NURSE PRACTITIONERS?
APRNs are required to confer with a physician at certain times as stated in a collaborative practice agreement. The SAVE Act would eliminate the physician supervision requirement for APRNs and allow APRNs to have full practice authority. This benefits NPs by having lower overhead costs in health clinics. It also helps free up their time by not having to consult with a physician.
WHAT DOES THE SAVE ACT MEAN FOR NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS?
Physicians are not always accessible to those in North Carolina rural counties and densely populated urban communities. By eliminating the physician supervision requirement, the SAVE Act will provide access to quality medical care for underserved citizens throughout NC. Additionally, the Act will decrease medical costs and add jobs to our state. APRNs still have strict licensing requirements and training requirements so the quality of care will not suffer.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED WITH PASSAGE OF THE SAVE ACT?
The first step in using your voice to back the SAVE Act is by contacting your state legislator. To find your state legislator use this NC General Assembly link and enter your address. Once you know who to contact just send an email or give them a call.
If you have any questions on professional licensing or just need a referral for any type of professional, feel free to give us a call at 919-521-8810, reach us at our website www.northstatelawfirm.com, or find us on social media.
*Nothing in this blog post is intended to be legal advice and this post does not establish an attorney-client relationship with the reader.