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Scope of practice

By Karen Muncy posted 09-17-2019 10:20 AM

  
I have worked at community behavioral health centers in Florida which utilize FNPs to provide care to patients, which I believe, is outside their scope of practice. Florida law changed in 2016 and now has a very specific definition of what a psychiatric nurse is, which FNPs obviously do not meet. In addition, they have baker acted patients, which they cannot do in Florida without meeting the criteria for a “psychiatric nurse”, as well as, provided psychotropic medications to children under the age of 13. Is this something that should be reported? Is it something that is typically done? Does anyone know?
Thanks
Karen Muncy,DNP,APRN,PMHNP-BC
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Kristen Chambers
10-18-2020 03:48 PM

Hello Karen,

The issues you raise are concerning, and it is out of an FNP’s scope in particular to prescribe psychiatric medications to children and adolescents. I do believe that non psychiatric practitioners can Baker Act in the state of Florida. I viewed statistics that broke down Baker Acts by the practitioner who initiated them, and the largest percentage was “non psychiatric” providers. Most likely due to their lack of knowledge and familiarity with psychiatric illnesses. I am interested in what additional feedback your post receives. 

Kristen

Kristen Chambers
10-18-2020 03:48 PM

Hello Karen,

The issues you raise are concerning, and it is out of an FNP’s scope in particular to prescribe psychiatric medications to children and adolescents. I do believe that non psychiatric practitioners can Baker Act in the state of Florida. I viewed statistics that broke down Baker Acts by the practitioner who initiated them, and the largest percentage was “non psychiatric” providers. Most likely due to their lack of knowledge and familiarity with psychiatric illnesses. I am interested in what additional feedback your post receives. 

Kristen

Sara Lewis
10-23-2019 01:13 AM

Karen,
    I completely agree with you and believe it is out of their scope of practice. Maybe the Board of Nursing should hear from us!