Ohio nurse practitioners could keep working 120 days after a split

In Ohio, a broken collaboration would not have to mean an immediate break in care. Ohio lawmakers are considering a bill that would let certain advanced practice registered nurses, or APRNs, keep seeing patients for up to 120 days after a collaborating physician or podiatrist relationship ends.

The covered nurses are certified nurse-midwives, certified nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists. During that window, they could keep practicing under the existing standard care arrangement while a replacement collaboration is lined up.

A temporary bridge for ongoing care

The clock starts when the board gets notice. If the collaboration ends because a physician or podiatrist dies, the nurse must notify the board as soon as practicable, and the 120-day period runs from that notice. If the relationship ends through a termination notice, the nurse may keep practicing for not more than 120 days after submitting that notice to the board.

The practical goal is to avoid a sudden stop in treatment plans, appointments and follow-up care, especially in places where finding a new collaborator may take time. Available key vote records show the bill advanced without recorded no votes.

What the bill does not change

This is not a full rewrite of APRN practice rules. The collaboration requirement stays in place. The bill just gives patients and providers a short runway so care does not fall apart the moment a doctor or podiatrist relationship ends.

That distinction matters for people already managing chronic conditions, pregnancy care or other ongoing needs. The measure is part of a broader update to laws governing the Board of Nursing and nursing professionals, but the heart of it is continuity: keeping the same nurse in place long enough for the next arrangement to be made.