On September 10th and 11th, 2025, the South Carolina Nurses Association (SCNA), in partnership with the Coalition for Access to Healthcare and other allies, testified before the Senate Medical Affairs Subcommittee in support of full practice authority (FPA) for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses.
The hearings were spirited, at times contentious, but ultimately productive. They highlighted both the passion and dedication of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in South Carolina and the deep divides that remain between those advocating for modern, evidence-based healthcare delivery and those who oppose these needed reforms.
In addition to championing FPA, SCNA strongly opposed Senate Bill 669—a physician-led, team-based healthcare proposal. From our perspective, this legislation diminishes the hard work, advanced education, and clinical expertise of highly skilled APRNs. It represents a step backward for patients and providers alike at a time when access to quality care must be moving forward.
The testimonies were not only grounded in research and data but also elevated by real stories from the frontlines. Nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists shared compelling experiences that illustrated the transformative role they play in the lives of patients across South Carolina every day. Their voices carried the weight of both science and humanity.
Today, more than 38 states have granted some form of full practice authority to APRNs. South Carolina must not lag behind. Our state deserves a system where patients have timely access to care, where rural and underserved communities are not left waiting, and where every provider is able to practice to the full extent of their training and education.
The South Carolina Nurses Association remains committed to doing this work with fairness, equity, and collaboration. While the road ahead will require continued dialogue with those who currently oppose FPA, our goal is clear: a healthcare system that prioritizes the people of South Carolina above all else.
We are dedicated. We are determined. And we are confident that together, we will reach a solution that strengthens our healthcare workforce, honors the expertise of APRNs, and ultimately improves the lives of our patients.
