Currently, Indiana advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs)—including nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists and certified nurse midwives—require a written collaborative practice agreement with a physician. These agreements authorize the medications and treatments the APRN may perform and the level of oversight the physician exercises.

Under HB 1116, APRNs would no longer need a collaborative practice agreement to practice. APRNs would be independent and able to practice and prescribe within their licensed scope of practice and board of nursing rules. And, unlike in other states, there would be no transition period when a new APRN would practice under supervision or collaboration before becoming independent. No written agreement or oversight with a physician would be needed to practice.

The majority of states allow nurse practitioners to practice independently. Most states have begun to provide reduced oversight or more flexibility but still retain the physician oversight. HB 1116 would solidly go along with this trend in providing independence for APRNs. If you would like additional information, to read the language of the bill or to contact the sponsors or committee, you can find the information you need through these links HB 1116 and SB 383.