Nurse Practitioner's Business Practice and Legal Guide, 7th Edition

ABOUT THE BOOK

Nurse Practitioner’s Business Practice and Legal Guide, 7th Edition by Carolyn Buppert is a comprehensive professional reference designed to help current and aspiring nurse practitioners understand the legal, ethical, regulatory, and business responsibilities of advanced nursing practice. Published by Jones & Bartlett Learning, this edition combines practical legal guidance, real-world case studies, and essential business knowledge to support responsible and effective healthcare practice.

The book explores a wide range of topics, including nurse practitioner scope of practice, state and federal regulations, professional licensing, prescribing authority, hospital privileges, negligence, medical malpractice, and risk management. It also examines important business considerations such as healthcare reimbursement, insurance billing, employment contracts, independent practice, and the legal requirements involved in establishing and managing a private healthcare practice.

This seventh edition includes updated state-by-state regulatory information, additional case studies, and expanded guidance on clinical documentation and malpractice prevention. It also discusses Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) competencies, differences between primary care and acute care nurse practitioners, medical bioethics, opioid and controlled-substance prescribing guidelines, electronic health records, clinical performance measures, and emerging healthcare policy issues.

A particularly useful feature is its practical approach to complex legal questions. The book includes sample business plans, contractor and employment agreements, documentation templates, discussion questions, and case analyses that help readers connect legal principles with everyday professional situations. It also addresses common challenges involving insurance reimbursement, physician consultation, professional responsibilities, and healthcare compliance.

Ideal for nurse practitioners, advanced practice nursing students, healthcare employers, medical practice administrators, and attorneys working with healthcare professionals, this guide serves as both an academic textbook and a practical professional reference. It provides valuable knowledge for navigating legal responsibilities, reducing professional risks, managing business operations, and developing a successful nurse practitioner career.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carolyn Buppert, JD, MSN, is an accomplished American attorney, former nurse practitioner, author, and healthcare legal specialist. She has extensive experience in both clinical nursing practice and legal matters affecting nurse practitioners, physicians, and healthcare organizations.

Before dedicating her professional career primarily to law, Buppert practiced as a nurse practitioner for 16 years. She subsequently developed a legal practice focused on healthcare regulations, professional liability, medical practice management, and the business and legal responsibilities of advanced nursing professionals.

Throughout her career, she has advised hospitals, healthcare systems, physician practices, nurse practitioner organizations, nursing homes, nursing schools, and other healthcare institutions. Her areas of expertise include malpractice prevention, employment contract negotiations, healthcare billing and coding, HIPAA compliance, prescribing regulations, and legal requirements governing medical practices.

Buppert is also an established healthcare author and has written several books and educational resources. She has contributed articles to The Journal for Nurse Practitioners and Medscape and has delivered professional lectures on legal risk management, healthcare compliance, and business practices for nurse practitioners.

Through her writing, teaching, and legal expertise, Carolyn Buppert has helped healthcare professionals understand complex legal requirements and make informed decisions about clinical responsibilities, professional development, and successful practice management.