Conn. governor: Let NPs work independently of physicians

Nurse practitioners (NP) would be allowed to treat patients and prescribe medications independently under a proposal by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's administration, a potentially significant change in the medical landscape aimed at expanding access to primary care. The ability of NPs to work independently of physicians has long been an issue of contention between the two professions, and states regulations vary widely in how they allow NPs to practice.

Connecticut law requires NPs, also known as advanced practice registered nurses, or APRNs, to practice in collaboration with a licensed physician. The Malloy administration's proposal would still require APRNs to work in collaboration with a physician for the first three years after becoming licensed. But after that, an APRN would be allowed to practice alone.