New Bill Would Grant Independent Practice to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in Missouri

A new bill introduced in Missouri would allow advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to practice without the need for physician collaboration. The bill is sponsored by Representative Kelly Hannah and had its first reading in the House and awaits further consideration. You can review the text of House Bill 693 (HB 693) in full here. 
 
HB 693 proposes sweeping changes to Missouri’s current APRN practice laws. Currently, APRNs must practice subject to written protocols and in collaborative practice with a physician. Furthermore, APRNs are limited to practicing within 75 miles of their collaborating physician. HB 693 would expand the APRN role to be an independent health care provider able to practice without needing a physician. Under HB 693 APRNS would be able to perform advanced assessments, establish diagnoses, prescribe schedule II through V controlled substances, and order and delegate therapeutic measures. To apply for APRN licensure a person must currently hold a registered professional nursing license and complete an accredited graduate or post graduate level APRN program. If HB 693 passes any currently licensed APRNs in Missouri would automatically be granted the new APRN license. The national trend has been moving towards allowing APRNs to practice as independent healthcare providers and not dependent on the supervision of physicians. In that regard, HB 693 is right in line with that trend and if passed would make Missouri APRNs independent health care providers with the same practice freedom as physicians (though obviously not the same scope of practice). 
 
We will be monitoring HB 693 as it works its way through Missouri’s legislative process this year. If you would like to contact HB 693’s sponsor she can be reached via her page of the House of Representative’s website .