Advancing the APRN and PA professions through medical staff membership: An organizational case study
Author Department
Nursing; Hospital Medicine; Medicine
Document Type
Article, Peer-reviewed
Publication Date
6-2025
Abstract
Granting medical staff membership to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and physician associates (PAs) is a national trend endorsed by The Joint Commission in 1983 and by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in 2012. APRNs and PAs must participate in the system in which medical care policies are made and communicated. Medical staff privileges enable these clinicians to help develop and implement hospital and medical staff policies that improve the quality and appropriateness of patient care. Medical staff membership also encourages a culture that promotes interprofessional and collaborative practice, enhancing and strengthening clinician relationships. Through education and by updating bylaws, rules, and regulations, APRNs and PAs at our facility can now admit patients, and they have a voice and vote in medical staff governance committees that affect their practice.
Keywords: APRNs; NPs; PAs; interprofessional practice; medical staff membership; voting privileges.
Recommended Citation
Brooks P, Barkoudah E. Advancing the APRN and PA professions through medical staff membership: An organizational case study. JAAPA. 2025 Jun 1;38(6):39-44. doi: 10.1097/01.JAA.0000000000000098. Epub 2025 May 27.
PMID
40421944