Plain English Summary
This bill formally defines the scope of practice for four types of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in North Carolina: Certified Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse Midwives, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, and Clinical Nurse Specialists. It removes the requirement that APRNs obtain joint approval from both the Medical Board and Nursing Board to perform certain medical acts, instead allowing the Nursing Board to grant prescribing and practice authority directly.
Arguments in Favor
Supporters argue this bill increases access to healthcare in North Carolina by allowing over 20,000 APRNs to practice to their full level of education and training without unnecessary government restrictions. They cite research showing that 36 other states have made similar changes with no negative effects on patient safety, a Duke University estimate of $700 million in annual savings, and recommendations from the Institute of Medicine supporting full APRN practice authority. Proponents contend this addresses North Carolina's healthcare provider shortage, particularly for Medicaid expansion patients.
Arguments Against
Opponents may be concerned that removing physician oversight requirements could affect patient safety and quality of care, though the bill's supporters note no evidence of this in other states. Some may worry about reducing physician involvement in treatment decisions or question whether APRNs' education is equivalent to physicians' training. Additionally, removing the joint Medical Board-Nursing Board approval process eliminates a collaborative oversight structure that some stakeholders may view as beneficial for coordinating medical and nursing practice standards.
AI-generated analysis based on bill text. Always verify with official sources at ncleg.gov. This is not legal or political advice.
Sponsors
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 89
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 106
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 75
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 26
Cosponsors (35)
Representative · District 86
Representative · District 61
Representative · District 77
Representative · District 48
Representative · District 64
Representative · District 63
Representative · District 116
Representative · District 23
Representative · District 96
Representative · District 88
Representative · District 119
Representative · District 58
Representative · District 11
Representative · District 101
Representative · District 99
Representative · District 16
Representative · District 36
Representative · District 29
Representative · District 92
Representative · District 85
Representative · District 39
Representative · District 43
Representative · District 8
Representative · District 71
Representative · District 2
Representative · District 115
Representative · District 50
Representative · District 114
Representative · District 32
Representative · District 82
Representative · District 100
Representative · District 67
Representative · District 33
Representative · District 112
Representative · District 24