The advanced practice nurse. Changing the practice law: what did we learn?

Abstract

The nurse practice statute was changed in Connecticut during the 1999 Legislative session in an effort to more accurately reflect the current practice of advanced practice nurses. The effort to make changes began in 1990, when the psychiatric clinical nurse specialists organized and incorporated to improve the practice status of this nurse specialty group and to improve patient accessibility to their services. This article describes the changes that were made in the practice statute and the lessons that were learned along the way. It elaborates on the need for strong organizational identification, coalition building, choosing legal and lobbying support carefully, negotiating with the opposition, and grassroots lobbying. Compromise was reached and statutory changes were made so that advanced practice nurses moved from being under the direction of physicians to a mutually agreed-on collaborative relationship with physicians. The article provides insights and learning experiences that may help others moving along the road to more independent practice laws.