Nurse practitioners: certified nurse-midwives: physician assistants: physician and surgeon supervision.

The Nursing Practice Act provides for the licensure and regulation of the practice of nursing by the Board of Registered Nursing. The act authorizes a nurse practitioner to, among other things, furnish or order drugs or devices under specified circumstances subject to physician and surgeon supervision. The act prohibits a physician and surgeon from supervising more than 4 nurse practitioners at one time for purposes of furnishing drugs or devices. Existing law authorizes the Board of Registered Nursing to issue a certificate to practice nurse-midwifery to any person licensed under the Nursing Practice Act that meets certain qualifications. Existing law authorizes a certified nurse-midwife to, among other things, furnish or order drugs and devices under specified circumstances subject to physician and surgeon supervision. Existing law prohibits a physician and surgeon from supervising more than 4 certified nurse-midwives at one time for purposes of furnishing or ordering drugs or devices. The Physician Assistance Practice Act provides for the licensure and regulation of physician assistants by the Physician Assistant Board, which is within the jurisdiction of the Medical Board of California. The act authorizes a physician assistant licensed by the Physician Assistant Board to be eligible for employment or supervision by any physician and surgeon who is not subject to a disciplinary condition imposed by the Medical Board of California prohibiting that employment or supervision. The act prohibits a physician and surgeon from supervising more than 4 physician assistants at any one time, except as specified. This bill would instead prohibit a physician and surgeon from supervising more than 12 nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, and physician assistants at any one time, as specified.