22 April 2020 – Certain testing requirements temporarily waived for Advance Practice Registered Nurses

Type of Intervention: Specific Action
Sectors Involved: Health
Intervention Categories: Legal and policy; Regulatory change
Level of Jurisdiction: Texas
Lead People/Agency: Governor Greg Abbott

Overview: Governor Greg Abbott has waived certain testing requirements for Advance Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) as part of the state’s response to COVID-19. As a result of this waiver, new APRN graduates who have applied for APRN licensure with the Board of Nursing and have met all licensure requirements except national certification may begin practicing under direct physician supervision. This graduate approval does not include prescriptive authority.
Full details here: https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-temporarily-waives-certain-testing-requirements-for-advanced-practice-registered-nurses

Type of Justification: Anecdotal Evidence (e.g. social or traditional media with limited evidence base)
Evidence/Justification: The State of Texas is committed to removing barriers that could potentially prevent frontline health care workers like APRNs from serving their fellow Texans throughout the COVID-19 response, said Governor Abbott. “This temporary waiver will ensure more APRNs are available to serve in our communities. We are grateful for our frontline health care professionals and remain unwaivering in our support of their crucial work.”