DISCUSSION QUESTION

As nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives fight to achieve primary care provider (PCP) status, what laws, regulations, and policies should every advanced practice nurse be familiar with to remove these barriers?   What can an APN do as an individual and what can APNs do collectively to address these barriers?

1. How might the executive leadership of your health care system (e.g., chief executive office, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, chief medical officer/chief nursing officer, and the governing board) assist in the process to remove barriers to practice, reimbursement or any other impediments to APNs’ functioning to the fullest scope of education and experience?
2. What are some ramifications of certain elements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act for APN practice?