Exam 1 Nurse Practice Acts

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing:

developed two licensure examinations, NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered nurses and Practical Nurses)

Standards of Practice

ANA, the largest professional nursing organization has established standards of clinical nursing practice. These address both standards for nursing care and standards for professional performance.

Licensure

Allows a nurse the legal privilege to practice nursing as defined in each state's NPA. Through the process of licensure, the BON ensures minimum standards of competency to provide safe nursing care to the public.

Nurse Licensure Compact

Allows the nurse to practice in more than one state.

Nursing Students

Each NPA addresses the duties and responsibilities of nursing students in that state. Typically this language includes the privilege to practice nursing without a license while engaged in the clinical practicum or an approved nursing education program under the supervision of qualified faculty. Ensure client safety Know your facilities policies and procedures before undertaking any clinical assignments Ensure you are knowledgeable about the client's condition, interventions, medications, and treatments. Never perform care for which you are unprepared; if you are unprepared for a clinical assignment, inform your instructor. Seek help before beginning a procedure about which you are unsure; if the instructor is not readily available, allow the staff nurse to perform an intervention.

Requirements for Mutual Recognition Model:

Each state has to enter into an interstate compact, called NLC, that allows nurses to practice in more than one state Multi-state licensure privilege means the authority to practice nursing in another state that has signed an interstate compact. It is not an additional license. A nurse must have a license in his or her primary state of legal residency if that state is an NLC state. The states continue to have authority in determining licensure requirements and disciplinary actions. The nurse is held accountable for knowing and practicing the nursing practice laws and regulations in the state where the client is located. Enactment does not change a state's nurse practice act. complaints and/or violations are addressed by the home state and the remote state. RNs and LPNs/LVNs are included in the interstate compact or NLC.

BON's oversee licensure through the following activities:

Establishing and monitoring educational standards for nursing education programs. Defining professional standards Examining and renewing the licenses of duly qualified applicants. Investigating violations of the NPA Sanctioning (to the point of initiating prosecution against) those who violate the NPA. Holding disciplinary hearings for possible suspensions or revocation of a license. Establishing and overseeing diversity programs in some states.

Credentialing

Formal identification of professionals who meet predetermined standards of professional skill or competence.

BON will take action against the nurse who is found guilty fo charges that include the following:

Giving false information or withholding material information from the board in procuring or attempting to procure a license to practice nursing. Being convicted of or pleading either guilty or nolo contendere to any crime that indicates the nurse is unfit or incompetent to practice or has deceived or defrauded the public. Engaging in conduct that endangers the public health Being unfit or incompetent to practice by reason of deliberate or negligent acts or omissions, regardless, of whether actual injury to the client is established. Engaging in conduct that deceives, defrauds, or harms the public in the course of professional activities or services.

Mutual Recognition Model

Nurse licensure allows a nurse to have a single license that confers the privilege to practice in other states that are part of the Nurse Licensure Compact The nurse is accountable for following the laws and rules of the state in which the nurse practices or where the client is located. To achieve mutual recognition each state must enact legislation or regulations authorizing the Nurse Licensure Compact.

National Council of State Boars of Nursing

Provides leadership to advance regulatory excellence for public protection. Members include 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four US territories (Guam, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands)

Certification

The credentialing process by which non-governmental agency or association recognizes the professional competence of an individual who has met certain predetermined qualification specified by the agency or association.

Nurse Practice Act (NPA)

The practice of nursing is regulated at the state level. A series of state statutes that define the scope of practice, standards for eduction programs, licensure requirements, and grounds for disciplinary actions. The law provides framework for establishing nursing actions in the care of clients. Each state's NPA is enforced and administered by a state board of nursing (BON)