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Defining "Independent Practice" For Nurse Practitioners In The State Of Texas: Envisioning A Workable Model, Hines Ann Tracy

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Health care reform, an aging population, and a decreasing primary care physician workforce has resulted in questioning of primary health care delivery in the United States. Nurse practitioners are being viewed as the possible answer to primary health care provider deficiencies. This advanced practice role, initially developed in the 1960s, has been shown to be an effective, cost efficient alternative to the medical model of health care delivery. Nurse practitioners' licensure and practice are regulated by each individual state resulting in state-to-state variances in the role. This inconsistency leads to further questions regarding the nurse practitioner role and practice independence. …