AARP 2010 Policy Supplement: Scope of Practice for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

Abstract

The new health care reform  law, signed by President Obama in April 2010, identifies nurses as critical players in meeting the changing health care needs of Americans. Nurses, especially advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), can provide much of the care we need. But statutory and regulatory barriers at state and federal levels prevent many nurses from practicing to the full extent of their licensure. Because the AARP Board of Directors recognized that legal barriers are short-changing consumers, they recently approved important changes to AARP policy. This updated policy is available for use as a guidepost in determining where AARP stands on scope of practice issues.