[NPInfo] Editorial: Pa. plan to expand NP roles should be applauded

[GIN11153 at aol.com]

Expand duty, role of nurses

 
Rendell's plan could reduce health care costs 

Sunday, December 24, 2006  
 
BY JACKIE DUNBAR-JACOB


I applaud Gov. Ed Rendell's initiative to expand the role of nurse  
practitioners, allowing them to practice to the full extent of their educational  
preparation and improving patients' access to quality health care in  Pennsylvania. 
 
In a variety of health care settings, including hospitals and home care,  
nurse practitioners already perform many of the same functions as physicians.  
They administer vaccinations, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe  
medications and perform other tasks related to routine care. Even in critical  
care, nurse practitioners have taken on duties in the domain of medical  
residents.  
Pennsylvania regulations restrict nurse practitioners in their performance,  
while other states are so advanced that they allow nurse practitioners to  
practice independently of physicians.  
Read the rest here:
 
_http://www.pennlive.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/opinion/1166813709129510.xm
l&coll=1_ 
(http://www.pennlive.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/opinion/1166813709129510.xml&coll=1) 
 
 
Gail Neuman  RNC CPHW SNP LNC
student nurse practitioner and student midwife
certified  high risk OB/legal nurse consultant
Perinatal Nurse Associates
Notary  Public/Certified Loan Signing Agent
PrePaid Legal Sales Associate
Santa  Ana, CA