Researchers find practice barriers persist despite APRN oversight waivers

A Vanderbilt University study of waivers to ease practice restrictions on advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) during the pandemic suggests many of the measures fell short of achieving their goal of increasing patients’ access to care. In Tennessee, for example, the majority of APRNs were unable to realize the benefits of the additional practice flexibility granted through an executive order “because of the processes and protocols in place at their practices,” said Wendy Likes, PhD, APRN, one of the study’s authors. “This finding shows that our system’s inflexibility hinders our ability to meet the needs of our community.” (Vanderbilt University news release, 11/11/20)