South Dakota represents the 22nd state to pass a law giving nurse practitioners full practice authority.
Here are five notes:
1. South Dakota Governor Daugaard signed Senate Bill 61 on Feb. 23, 2017.
2. Under the law, NPs are able to offer all services in which they are educated and clinically prepared to offer.
3. The law overrides the mandate that NPs have "collaborative agreements" with physicians to practice as well as Board of Nursing and Board of Medicine oversight.
4. The regulatory changes may result in state savings of more than $71,000 annually in regulatory costs.
5. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners applauds South Dakota for its new legislation.