Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper has signed legislation that will improve Coloradans’ access to quality health care by updating the state’s rules governing nurse practitioners and other advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).   The new law which enjoyed broad support from consumer, nursing and health care groups would allow APRNs to prescribe medications after completing 1,000 hours of work under supervision of an experienced APRN or physician.   The old rule which supporters said was outdated and unnecessarily reducing access to care and discouraging APRNs from locating or staying in Colorado required a 3,600 hour supervised period. The change takes effect on Sept.  1.