APN Independent Practice

Many areas in the United States have faced acute shortages of primary caregivers. The
problem can be addressed by nurse practitioners. However, the efforts of nursing practitioners
are greatly hampered by laws that vary from state to state. In Alabama, where I hail from, the
Alabama Board of Nursing is in charge of granting licenses to advanced practice registered
nurses (APRNs). A nurse with a registered nursing license can apply to engage in advanced
practice nursing (APN). To this end, the state of Alabam has a legal structure that allows nurses
to engage in APN. I will ensure that I encourage nurses from my state to apply for a license from
the Alabama Board of Nursing. I will participate in campaigns to encourage nurses to help
address the healthcare concerns of my community by engaging in APN.
Across the nation, I will ensure that I champion the removal of barriers to practice and
care. I will ensure that I meet the policymakers and explain to them the need to have more nurses
engaging in APN. Nurses should be encouraged to practice to the full extent of their education. I
will ensure that I inform the policymakers of the need to ensure that the number of caregivers is
increased in the country. I will ensure that policymakers understand the need to change both state
and federal laws that are outdated. I will mobilize nurses across the country to come together and
address the fundamental issue of eliminating the barriers to practice. I will also ensure that I
involve citizens so that they can be involved in shifting the state of society and, in so doing
improve healthcare delivery.