2008 Senate Report Urged State to Expand Scope of Nurse Practitioners

Turning up the heat on the Florida Legislature to expand their scope of care, Florida nurse practitioners are citing more reports calling on the state to do just that.

Arguing that they can help drive down soaring Medicaid costs, NPs point to an October 2008 study by none other than the Florida Senate, which stated:

"Senate professional staff recommends that the Legislature consider extending authority to Florida-licensed ARNPs who have attained certification in a nursing specialty from a nationally recognized certifying entity to prescribe controlled substances under protocols and within the scope of practice for their specialty."

The Legislature's refusal to take action mystifies Doreen Cassarino, vice president of legislation for the Nurse Practitioner Council of Collier County.

"Why is it that the legislators in Florida are so opposed to taking advantage of all the skills that these professionals can provide?There are no studies that support any negative concerns. In fact, they show the contrary," she says.