Nurse practitioners across New Jersey are facing new restrictions after former Gov. Phil Murphy rolled back COVID-era waivers that expanded their role in patient care.

The executive order reinstates pre-pandemic rules, once again requiring every nurse practitioner-run practice to have a collaborating physician.

It's a move providers say could limit access to care. Under the order, nurse practitioners who operate their own practices have until Feb. 16 to find a collaborating physician or shut down.

"We've been doing this for six years now, and we did this because of COVID, because our healthcare system was so strained...We just feel that it's like okay were done here, we don't need you guys anymore, and it's not true for our patients," said Filomena Ilaria, owner of Join Prosper Health.

Advocates note that 28 states already allow nurse practitioners to practice independently, and legislation is pending in New Jersey that could change the rules again.