For those that are interested in the ongoing effort to modify Colorado's Advance Practice Nursing regulations and reside in Colorado - please read the following. We need your help immediately.

The website www.ColoradoAPN.org provides information about Colorado's APRN workforce, access to a recently released APRN Workforce report, and information about Senate Bill 15-197. SB197 is focused on changing the regulations governing how an APRN can acquire the ability to prescribe independently.

Building on months of testimony and NPATCH research, the key elements of Senate Bill 15-197 are as follows. (a) Reducing from 3,600 to 1,000 the hours of supervision for an APRN to receive RXN status; (b) Allowing practicing APRNs with RXN certification to provide supervision, in addition to physicians; (c) Giving APRN new graduates provisional RXN authority upon graduation and passage of the certification examination; upon completion of the 1,000 hours of supervision, regular RXN status will be awarded.

Please contact your State Representative or Senator and ask them to support SB197 as written. This is an important piece of legislation that will significantly improve the ability of APRNs to provide Coloradans access to healthcare, a growing challenge in many communities. Unfortunately, there are still individuals that oppose this change, so support from you (and your legislators!) is very important.

To find out how to contact your state legislator, http://openstates.org/find_your_legislator

Senate Bill 15-197 is critical to the health and well-being of Coloradans and to supporting the practice of new graduates. Please consider contacting your State Representative or Senator right away.