Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice: New Hampshire
I visited New Hampshire for the first time when looking at prospective colleges. I have to say I really enjoyed my time in this quaint, little state. From wooded mountains to a small bit of coastline, New Hampshire is a sanctuary for lovers of the outdoors. Similarly to the state’s being a natural respite, New Hampshire serves as a haven for nurse practitioners as well. When it comes to laws regulating NPs ability to practice, New Hampshire is perhaps the most progressive state in the nation.
Here’s a quick look at the scope of practice for nurse practitioners practicing in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire’s Nurse Practitioner Supervision Laws
Nurse practitioners in New Hampshire are allowed to practice independently, free of physician supervision. According to New Hampshire state law, NPs may assess, diagnose, prescribe, select, administer and provide therapeutic measures and treatment regimens independently. State law does note that nurse practitioners should obtain consultation, implement collaborative management and refer patients as appropriate but does not specify as to with which type of provider NPs should collaborate.
As a convenience to newly graduated nurse practitioners, NPs in New Hampshire may apply for a temporary license to practice after graduating from an NP program but before sitting for the national certification exam. This temporary license to practice is valid for 120 days and allows new nurse practitioners a seamless transition from education to practice.
Nurse practitioners in New Hampshire must renew their license to practice every two years. In order to renew this license, NPs must have practiced for at least 400 hours within the preceding four years. 30 hours of continuing education, with at least 5 of these hours being in pharmacology, are also required for renewal. Continuing education hours must have been completed within the 2 years immediately prior to the date of application.
New Hampshire’s Nurse Practitioner Prescribing Laws
In conjunction with the absence of supervision requirements when it comes to NP practice, nurse practitioners in New Hampshire are able to prescribe free from physician oversight. State law specifies that “the APRN shall have authority to possess, compound, prescribe, administer, dispense, and distribute to clients controlled and non-controlled drugs within the APRN’s scope of practice”.
Other Scope of Practice Laws
Nurse practitioners practicing in New Hampshire are formally recognized as primary care providers. They may also sign death certificates and handicap parking permits.
Overall, nurse practitioners working in New Hampshire enjoy true independence. They may practice and prescribe without physician collaboration, direction or supervision. When it comes to legal standing, New Hampshire is among the most nurse practitioner friendly states in the nation.
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