Advanced practice nurses now have more freedom to practice health care in New Jersey without the oversight of a physician.

Governor Sherrill signed a law this week that eliminates restrictions for certain APNs, allowing them to prescribe medication, practice primary and behavioral health care, and perform various injections like IV therapy and cosmetic injections.

This law extends a provision that Governor Murphy had put into place during the COVID-19 pandemic in an effort to expand health care access to residents, especially in rural areas.

Since then, legislators say that more than 45 percent of APNs have practiced without an overseeing physician, without any adverse incidents reported.

And many practices like med spas and surgery centers have opened or expanded their offerings.

But as the time ran out on that provision, those centers that rely on advanced practice nurses were worried they'd have to shut their doors.

This law alleviates that concern.

It applies to APNs with 5,000 hours of clinical practice.

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