Monthly Morsel

Massachusetts Nurse Practitioners Are Granted Full Practice Authority! We did it!

As a Nurse Practitioner, I am excited to share that on January 1st, 2021 Governor Charlie Baker signed into law, An Act Promoting a Resilient Health Care System That Puts Patients First. This makes Massachusetts the 23rd state in the nation to pass FPA (full practice authority) legislation for Nurse Practitioners!

This means in the state of Massachusetts, Nurse Practitioners with over two years of experience may work independently, benefitting patients by offering shorter wait times and more accessibility across the board in health care.

This achievement represents an 8-year legislative effort and the contributions of countless individuals.

From the founding members of the Massachusetts Coalition of Nurse Practitioners (MCNP), to the dedicated MCNP volunteers who championed this fight and never gave up; the members who supported this work and engaged with legislators; the bill sponsors; the incredible lobbying teams over the past 25 years; institutional, organizational, and nursing supporters; key legislators; and state leaders – we are grateful to many for this Herculean effort.

We can rejoice in this incredible victory for patients and what we were able to accomplish together.

~ Taken from the MCNP e-blast on 1/1/2021