Early implementation of full-practice authority: A survey of Massachusetts nurse practitioners

Abstract

Background:In January 2021, Massachusetts granted nurse practitioners (NPs) full-practice authority (FPA). Little is known about how FPA changes the day-to-day work of NPs.Purpose:To examine changes in practice barriers and care delivery in the early stages of FPA.Methodology:Descriptive analysis of a web-based survey of clinically active NPs in Massachusetts from October to December 2021, using Fisher exact tests to examine the associations between the perception that FPA improved work and other variables.Results:Survey response rate was 50.3% (N = 147). Overall, 79% of NPs believe that clinical work is unchanged by FPA. Practicing outside institutions is a significant predictor of FPA improving work (p