The perceptions and experiences of national regulatory nurse leaders in advancing the advanced practice registered nurse compact policy agenda.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Compact was approved at the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Delegate Assembly in May 2015. Since that date, only three states have been successful in the legislative adoption of the compact. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of nursing regulatory leaders involved with the individual state adoption of the APRN Compact.

METHODS: This qualitative study followed a phenomenological-hermeneutic methodology approach.

CONCLUSIONS: Four themes emerged from within the data: legislative political environment; professional organizational barriers; strategies to push past barriers; and moving forward. An overarching theme of consistent communication was evident.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study identifies barriers experienced in the legislative state adoption process and successful strategies to overcome these barriers to move the APRN compact forward.