FL S0972

Allows advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to practice without a protocol agreement or physician supervision if they meet specified requirements: hold an unencumbered APRN license, complete at least 2,000 clinical practice hours in the preceding 5 years, and submit an attestation form to the Board of Nursing.

Permits qualified APRNs practicing without supervision to admit, manage care for, and discharge patients at hospitals, long-term care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, hospices, and intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled.

Authorizes qualified APRNs to provide signatures, certifications, verifications, affidavits, or other endorsements otherwise required by physicians.

Requires APRNs practicing without supervision to report adverse incidents (patient transfer to hospital, permanent physical injury, or death reasonably attributable to controlled substance prescription) to the Department of Health within 15 days, with the department determining if disciplinary action is warranted.

Exempts certified registered nurse anesthetists practicing without protocol agreements under the new provisions from the onsite medical direction requirement in hospital settings.