SC S0045

Allows the Board of Nursing to grant "full practice authority" to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who complete 2,000 clinical hours after initial licensure and maintain malpractice insurance, enabling them to practice independently without a physician practice agreement

APRNs with full practice authority may independently perform medical acts including ordering/interpreting diagnostic data, prescribing medications (including Schedule II-V controlled substances), executing do-not-resuscitate orders, certifying medical necessity, and committing patients to psychiatric facilities

Expands prescriptive authority for APRNs to include Schedule II narcotic prescriptions up to 30 days for patients in chronic pain management facilities, hospice/palliative care, or long-term care facilities

Permits Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) to purchase, dispense, prescribe, and administer Schedule II controlled substances in licensed birthing centers and order Schedule II-V substances in acute care facilities

Removes requirement that physicians practicing with APRNs under practice agreements must be "actively practicing within the geographic boundaries" of South Carolina, and eliminates joint Board of Medical Examiners approval for certain additional medical acts performed by APRNs with full practice authority