Linking APN Scope of Practice with Public Health Goals: Using the Case Study of Provision of Abortion Care

Purpose: The recent Institute of Medicine (IOM) report describes a vision for quality health care with a focus on wellness, primary care and prevention, and improved health outcomes for diverse populations across the lifespan. In this primary care and prevention model, APN are central drivers of the health care system. The IOM report recommends that nurses must practice to the full extent of their education and that nurses must assume leadership positions.

 

Methods: To understand barriers that may prevent APNs from practicing to the full extent of their education, an in-depth analysis of the clinical, regulatory, legal, and political issues related to the provision of abortion care was conducted.

Results: The analysis identified that APNs provide women with access to safe primary and reproductive healthcare and require additional support to include abortion services. A comprehensive toolkit was created to highlight strategies for integrating abortion care, which can be applicable to the integration of any other new procedure: develop a sophisticated professional portfolio, including professional practice regulations and guidelines on how to advance practice into new areas of knowledge and skill; develop familiarity with the structure and function of professional certifying organizations/ professional licensing boards; develop familiarity with officers and members of local and regional chapters of professional organizations and licensing boards; build or strengthen existing relationships with professional colleagues known to be supportive of reproductive justice and/or professional autonomy; and identify actual and potential interprofessional as well as intraprofessional obstacles.

Conclusion: This session will introduce a comprehensive framework for APNs to expand their scope of practice and thus enhance their ability to increase access to high quality health care in their communities. The case study of abortion scope of practice highlights pathways for nurses to develop leadership skills in primary and secondary prevention of unintended pregnancy.