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. 2020 Jul-Aug;68(4):459-467.
doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2020.05.008. Epub 2020 Jun 24.

Nurse practitioners' workforce outcomes under implementation of full practice authority

Kelli DePriest  1 , Rita D'Aoust  2 , Laura Samuel  2 , Yvonne Commodore-Mensah  2 , Ginger Hanson  2 , Eric P Slade  2
Affiliations

Nurse practitioners' workforce outcomes under implementation of full practice authority

Kelli DePriest et al. Nurs Outlook. 2020 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

Background: Full practice authority laws that permit nurse practitioners (NPs) to practice independently and prescribe medications may influence NPs' workforce outcomes.

Purpose: To examine whether implementation of full practice authority laws affect NP self-employment, average earnings, and likelihood of residing in a primary care health professional shortage area (HPSA).

Methods: A nationally representative U.S. sample of 9,782 NPs employed in health care during 2010 to 2018 was drawn from the American Community Survey. Difference-in-differences regression was used to estimate covariate-adjusted mean differences in NPs' workforce outcomes after full practice authority implementation.

Findings: Among full-time employed NPs, full practice authority was associated with an increased probability of residing in a HPSA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]:2.34, 95%CI 1.14, 4.83) and with a higher mean probability of self-employment (aOR:4.97, 95%CI 1.00, 24.86).

Discussion: Full practice authority implementation improves access to primary care providers in health professional shortage areas and may increase practice ownership among NPs.

Keywords: American Community Survey; Self-employment; difference-in-differences; earnings; health professional shortage areas.

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Figures

Figure 1 –
Figure 1 –
Study sample selection flow chart.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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