Addressing the Texas Health Care Crisis: Effective Use of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

Texas is experiencing an unprecedented health care crisis, including a shortage of primary care providers. The current site-based delegation practice model for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) restricts public access to qualified providers. APRNs are equipped to immediately address the crisis in Texas by providing accessible, affordable, high-quality care if they are permitted to practice to the full extent of their education and training. Texas APRN organizations are working with stakeholders to propose a new collaborative practice model during the 2013 legislative session. Using APRNs is projected to increase economic output to $26 billion and create 177,200 jobs by 2040.