MINNEAPOLIS — Some of Minnesota’s highly skilled nurses will soon lead their own primary care clinic, thanks to a new state law.

On April 6, the University of Minnesota School of Nursing will open a new nurse practitioner clinic in downtown Minneapolis The clinic is across the street from the new Minnesota Vikings stadium and a half block from a light rail stop.

For years, advanced practice registered nurses have served as primary care providers for many patients. But they were required to have a written agreement with a physician to practice.

That changed on Jan. 1, when a new state law that allows advanced nurses to practice independently took effect, Minnesota Public Radio News reported. The law allows those nurses to break free of physician oversight after completing 2,080 hours of supervised work.

“This is a magnificently empowering time for nurse practitioners in the state of Minnesota,” said Connie White Delaney, dean of the University of Minnesota School of Nursing.