Nurses and physician assistants are increasingly stepping into roles that were once handled only by doctors, reflecting a major shift in today’s healthcare system.
In January of this year, Florida senator Jay Trumbull introduced a bill, SB 374, in the Florida Senate that would expand the authority of physician assistants (PAs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), allowing them to prescribe medication and provide care with greater independence. The goal of the legislation is to improve access to healthcare by reducing long wait times patients often experience before seeing a physician. The bill has already passed its first step in the legislative process and is currently awaiting committee review which is expected to take action July 1, 2026.
Healthcare continues to evolve as communities require faster and more consistent medical attention. Many patients spend 30 minutes to an hour waiting for a doctor, which can delay treatment and create unnecessary barriers in healthcare. This bill aims to improve efficiency by allowing fully licensed PAs and APRNs, who receive extensive medical training, to take on expanded responsibilities. Under the proposal, they would be able to prescribe certain controlled medications while meeting strict requirements. These include clearly identifying themselves to patients as PAs and APRNs, completing at least 10 hours of continuing medical education during each license renewal, and following detailed documentation and safety standards.
Francillone Souffrent, an advanced practice registered nurse, expressed concerns about the bill, explaining that current supervision requirements can create delays in patient care. She noted that before presenting a medication plan to a physician, she must fully explain her findings and the reasoning behind them, despite already identifying the patient’s symptoms, necessary medications, and proper dosages. “Having a doctor review and question our notes can slow the process down and delay patients’ access to the care they need,” she said.
Nickenson Cetoute, another healthcare professional, also emphasized that staffing shortages contribute to slower treatment times. He explained that there are not enough physicians available in the building to provide timely supervision, which can further delay patient care and access to treatment.
Some patients say expanding the role of PAs and APRNs helps address provider shortages and improves patient access, especially when waiting for physician approval can slow down treatment. They also say allowing these professionals to prescribe non-controlled medications with greater independence supports a more improved healthcare system while still maintaining safeguards for patient safety. Ultimately, the bill focuses on ensuring patients receive timely care from the proper healthcare provider.
