Two major nursing associations had harsh words for the American Medical Association after the doctors' group recently pledged to fight efforts to grant nurses the ability to practice without physician oversight.

A resolution adopted by AMA members on Nov. 13 proposes the creation of a national advocacy and public relations campaign to fight efforts to allow healthcare professionals who are not doctors to practice independently.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists initiated the AMA measure in response to a 2015 compact among three states—Wyoming, Idaho and North Dakota—that allows advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in one state to practice independently in the others. Several other states are expected to consider entering into the agreement next year.

"The APRN Compact should be opposed since it usurps state law and takes many licensing decisions away from state legislatures and state boards of nursing," ASA said in a statement. http://bit.ly/2mNsQs5

However, nursing groups see the resolution as little more than doctors protecting their turf from outside competition, regardless of what is in the best interest of patients.

"It's amazing to me that patients aren't even an afterthought in the AMA/ASA resolution," said Bruce Weiner, president of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. "Nowhere in the negative, self-serving language of the resolution does one find the words ‘patient,' ‘safety,' ‘cost-effective,' or ‘access to care,' which speaks volumes to its makers' collective aim."

American Nurses Association President Pamela Cipriano said the resolution perpetrates the false narrative that APRNs are trying to provide the same kind of care as doctors.

"APRNs practice advanced nursing, not medicine, in which they regularly consult, collaborate and refer as necessary to ensure that the patient receives appropriate diagnosis and treatment," she said. http://bit.ly/2jLcqzi

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