The First Private Practice as a Registration Authority Authorised Nurse Practitioner in Australia

Abstract

The first private practice conducted, owned by and advertised as an authorised nurse practitioner practice in Australia was established in February 2004. A mental health nurse practitioner established the practice in a medical centre to provide counselling and mental health services for individuals, couples and families. This paper discusses the first 18 months of operation and considers the experience in the context of the small amount of published data, internationally, related to nurse owned and run private practices in general, and nurse practitioner practices. The practical steps of setting up, reimbursement and meeting challenges, in particular, are discussed. Diary entries and copies of emails were used as data through which the experience was tracked. The conclusion was reached that private practice as a nurse practitioner is possible. Scope of practice and financial remuneration are limited by the current third party reimbursement arrangements under Medicare and the lack of provision of PBS provider numbers to nurse practitioners.