Rep. Barnaby’s bill allows some advanced nurses to give care without doctor supervision

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Legislation by Rep. Webster Barnaby, R-Deltona, would allow for specialized advanced practice registered nurses to engage in autonomous mental health care practices.

“HB 771 allows Advanced Practice Registered Nurses [APRNs] who are certified in psychiatric nursing to provide specific mental health care treatments without doctor supervision,” Barnaby told Florida’s Voice.

Autonomous nursing is defined as the ability for nurses to provide their knowledge and skills to determine the correct actions and procedures needed to help patients. Certain nurses are able to do this without further approval from health professionals.

“The APRNs are highly qualified, highly skilled medical professionals who not only have advanced degrees and certifications, but field experience in psychiatric care,” he said. “Requiring doctor supervision for the APRNs to perform duties which are within their scope of practice and area of expertise is dismissive of their qualifications and limits their ability to provide much needed care.”

Barnaby’s office explained that non-specialized APRNs are already allowed to practice psychiatric care autonomously and that the bill would simply allow specialized APRNs the same ability.

Barnaby also explained his reasoning as to why he introduced the legislation, highlighting the need for mental health care accessibility.

“When I go around my District in Volusia County- whether it be DeLand, Deltona, or Oak Hill- one of the main issues I hear about is mental health,” he said. “When I go visit the hospitals and health care centers, healthcare professionals tell me about the mental health epidemic we are facing in our communities.”

“Constituents tell me stories of loved ones that have struggled or are struggling with mental health. This is an issue that reaches far beyond my district, beyond party lines, beyond demographics- it affects everyone,” he continued. “Floridians across our State need mental health care and HB 771 is a great step toward providing better access.”

Barnaby said that by removing the “administrative burden,” thousands of Floridians will be able to receive mental health care in a timely and effective manner.

“By using our existing resources – our certified psychiatric APRNs – we can free up the existing back log of patients and allow doctors to focus on more advanced cases,” he added. “All Floridians will be able to see a qualified professional to receive the treatment they need.”