IMPORTANT: Call to Action for all APRNs. Please Act Now! Before Feb 20th!

Dear NP Council of MD members,  

We are monitoring the legislative session closely and are aware of two companion bills (HB583-house bill/SB230 senate bills) that are significant threats to NP practice in the state of Florida.  

HB583 and SB230 are two similar bills that would: 

• Restrict APRNs and any health care practitioners outside of nursing from using the term ‘doctor’ even if a doctorate degree has been achieved 
• Create a series of abbreviated titles for APRNs that are not in alignment with our national standards.  
• Prohibit use of our board certification credentials by not allowing them to be used as part of our titles 

The AANP also opposes legislation and regulations such as this that would prohibit nurses and other healthcare professionals from clearly representing their credentials to patients and the public. You can read more about AANP's position here.  

This bill is being sold as a ‘truth in advertising’ bill yet, in reality, adds unnecessary restrictions to APRN titling and practice. Florida already has a law in place that requires health care providers to display their credentials and to avoid misleading declarations. 

We need you to act swiftly to end this infringement on our professional rights. All APRNS should be able to use their designated professional titles without interference from organized medicine.  

• Please contact the senators on the Health Policy Committee and tell them NOT TO SUPPORT this bill.  
• Please contact the representatives on the Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee and tell them NOT TO SUPPORT this bill.