Nurse practitioners fighting for independence

TULSA — Oklahoma's nurse practitioners are fighting for independence at the State Capitol.

They have asked the legislature to amend the Oklahoma Nurse Practice Act, to free them from doctor supervision.

HB 2841 would allow them to practice with being involved in a supervision contract with a physician.

The nurses said they've paid substantial fees for those contracts when very little supervision is provided.

The doctors primarily oversee their prescriptions and write class-2 drug prescriptions for the nurses.

The nurse practitioners said independence would allow them to offer care in areas of Oklahoma, that don't have doctors.

Elizabeth Thiel is a Nurse Practitioner with Axis Healthcare in Bixby, said the current law prevents them from helping a lot of people.

She has handled the vast majority of cases that have come through the doors with any assistance.

Thiel said, "We can treat, diagnose and manage basically any primary basic need that any patient may have."

Krista N'gom is the Executive Director of Axis Healthcare and she said they wouldn't be open without them.

With the help of nurse practitioners, they offer care in walk-in clinics all over Eastern Oklahoma.

N'gom said their nurses spend more time with their patients than most doctors.

N'gom said, "That's why we love it. It feels like when you were growing up and you got to know your doctor, one on one."

Thiel added that in the 21 states where nurse practitioners are allowed full practices, the health statistics have improved.

She also said that Oklahoma is in the lowest 5% of healthcare in the nation, so independent nurse practitioners could help to turn that around.