Robert Hughes

What they do

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in Florida hold one of four recognized roles: Nurse Practitioner (NP), Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). They diagnose and treat patients, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications including controlled substances within state limits, and manage chronic and acute conditions. APRNs work in primary care offices, hospitals, surgical centers, mental health practices, retail clinics, and academic medical centers across Florida.

Florida enacted significant scope-of-practice expansion in 2020, allowing qualifying primary care nurse practitioners to register for autonomous practice in family medicine, general pediatrics, and general internal medicine after meeting clinical hour and education requirements. CRNAs administer anesthesia in operating rooms, dental practices, and pain clinics. CNMs provide prenatal, delivery, and women's health care. APRNs bridge gaps in healthcare access, particularly in rural and underserved Florida counties.

Licensing in Florida

To practice as an APRN, candidates must hold an active Florida RN license, complete a graduate-level program in their chosen role and population focus, and obtain national certification from a recognized body such as ANCC, AANP, NBCRNA, or AMCB. The Florida Board of Nursing reviews credentials, issues the APRN registration, and grants prescriptive authority. Autonomous practice registration requires additional documentation of supervised clinical hours and education. Licenses are renewed every two years with continuing education that includes pharmacology hours and state-required topics.

How to verify or report

Patients can verify an APRN license, autonomous practice status, and prescriptive authority through the Florida MQA license search. To report concerns, use the Florida Department of Health complaint form or call 850-488-0796.