Abstract
Nurse practitioners in the state of Mississippi are currently required to maintain a collaborating agreement with a physician to practice, despite being educated and obtaining national certification. This limitation of practice further limits patients from obtaining healthcare, especially in rural communities. The present study examined the effects that current practice restrictions have on nurse practitioners providing primary care to patients in the state of Mississippi amid a physician shortage. Surveys were distributed to primary care providers, including nurse practitioners and physicians throughout the state of Mississippi, and a total of 14 physicians (MDs and DOs) and 146 nurse practitioners responded to the survey. Survey results revealed that almost half of the NPs who responded have either considered leaving the field of nurse practitioner or have considered relocating to a full practice authority state due to state restrictions in Mississippi, which would decrease access to primary care even further. The study also revealed that of the nurse practitioners that responded to the survey, the majority stated they rarely consulted with their collaborating physician. This causes an increase in expenses for the nurse practitioner and proves to be yet another barrier in accessing care.
Degree
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Department
Graduate Nursing
Degree Date
2023
First Advisor
Dr. Sueanne Davidson
Second Advisor
Dr. Alena Groves
Third Advisor
Dr. Shonda Phelon
Document Type
Thesis
Recommended Citation
Bowen, Brittany; Burnett, Clare; and Robertson, Katie, "Facilitators and Barriers to Nurse Practitioners’ Full Practice Authority in Primary Care in Mississippi" (2023). MSN Research Projects. 446.
https://athenacommons.muw.edu/msn-projects/446