NJ A4052

Authorizes advanced practice nurses (APNs) with more than 24 months or 2,400 hours of licensed active practice to work independently without joint protocols or physician collaboration requirements

Requires APNs with fewer than 24 months or 2,400 hours of experience to maintain joint protocols with a collaborating physician or experienced APN, but only for prescribing medications

Permits APN-Anesthetists with sufficient experience to administer general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, and neuraxial anesthesia without physician supervision or joint protocol requirements

Mandates APNs complete 6 contact hours of continuing education on controlled substances and 10 contact hours of pharmacology education each biennial period to prescribe medications

Establishes that any state law requiring a physician's signature, stamp, or endorsement will also accept an APN's signature to the extent consistent with APN scope of practice