The California Health Care Foundation (CHCF) recent briefing, Expanding the Role of Nurse Practitioners, took a closer look at the California Future Health Workforce Commission’s recommendation (PDF) to expand practice authority for nurse practitioners (NPs). Speakers shared research and experiences from other states that currently allow NPs to practice without physician oversight. They explained how access to care increases when states expand practice authority for NPs — in Calfornia, and in rural areas specifically. They also made the point that quality of care is the same or better in states that allow NPs full practice authority compared to states with restrictions.

Speakers from New Mexico, Colorado, and Nevada provided useful details about their states’ particular NP scope of practice laws and lessons they have learned since their laws first went into effect. We hope you find their data and experiences useful to your work.

Special thanks to the speakers:

• Joanne Spetz, PhD, Associate Director of Research, Healthforce Center at UCSF
• Susan S. VanBeuge, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP, Associate Professor, Director of Clinical and Community Partnerships, UNLV School of Nursing
• Tillman Farley, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Salud Family Health Centers
• Elizabeth Holguin, PhD, MPH, MSN, FNPBC, Medical Director for Community Health, Presbyterian Healthcare Services

The CHCF posted a video of the event (see below), and along with speaker slides and other resources. Additionally, explore all of CHCF's resources on expanding the role of nurse practitioners.