Print

Redmond, Terri L.

Nursing

2012

MS

As states adjust their administrative rules to reflect the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine (2010) and APRN Consensus Model (2008), attention must be paid to the process and outcomes of informing NPs of rules and regulations that impact their practice. The purpose of this cross-sectional survey design study was to assess Vermont NPs' self-perceived knowledge of the 2011 change in Administrative Rules, how Vermont NPs acquire knowledge of regulatory changes, and how accurate the garnered knowledge is. The sample consisted of NPs (N= 41) who were licensed and practice in Vermont, members of the Vermont Nurse Practitioner Association's (VNPA) e-mail list, and completed the Vermont Administrative Rules Assessment (VARA). Perceived knowledge had little relationship to actual knowledge.
The entire sample achieved a score of 62% correct though all respondents claimed to be at least 'somewhat knowledgeable'. The areas of the greatest knowledge deficit, regardless of perceived knowledge level, were the hours required for renewal of license, collaborative agreement requirements, and quality improvement guidelines, which were some of the major aspects of Vermont's regulatory change. No significant associations were found between the demographics of the respondents, scores, and perceived knowledge levels. Vermont NPs have important knowledge gaps related the Administrative Rules, raising alarming questions about their preparedness to adhere to regulatory change.
Key Words: nursing, nurse practitioner, NP, advanced practice registered nurse, regulation, policy, knowledge, administrative rules, perceived knowledge.