Posted: June 14th, 2023

Professional Nursing and State-Level Regulations

Professional Nursing and State-Level Regulations
Number of sources: 3
Paper instructions:
Boards of Nursing (BONs) exist in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands. Similar entities may also exist for different regions. The mission of BONs is the protection of the public through the regulation of nursing practice. BONs put into practice state/region regulations for nurses that, among other things, lay out the requirements for licensure and define the scope of nursing practice in that state/region.

It can be a valuable exercise to compare regulations among various state/regional boards of nursing. Doing so can help share insights that could be useful should there be future changes in a state/region. In addition, nurses may find the need to be licensed in multiple states or regions.

To Prepare:

Review the Resources and reflect on the mission of state/regional boards of nursing as the protection of the public through the regulation of nursing practice.
Consider how key regulations may impact nursing practice.
Review key regulations for nursing practice of your state’s/region’s board of nursing and those of at least one other state/region and select at least two APRN regulations to focus on for this Discussion..

State/regional boards of nursing (BONs) are responsible for protecting the public through the regulation of nursing practice. BONs do this by setting standards for nursing education, licensure, and practice. BONs also investigate complaints about nurses and take disciplinary action when necessary.

The mission of BONs is to protect the public by ensuring that nurses are competent to practice safely and ethically. BONs do this by setting standards for nursing education, licensure, and practice. BONs also investigate complaints about nurses and take disciplinary action when necessary.

BONs play an important role in ensuring the quality of nursing care. By setting standards for nursing education, BONs help to ensure that nurses have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe and effective care. By requiring nurses to be licensed, BONs help to ensure that nurses are qualified to practice. And by investigating complaints about nurses and taking disciplinary action when necessary, BONs help to protect the public from unsafe or unethical nursing practice.

Here are some key regulations that may impact nursing practice:

Licensure requirements: Each state has its own licensure requirements for nurses. These requirements typically include completing a nursing education program, passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), and paying a licensing fee.
Scope of practice: Each state defines the scope of practice for nurses. This includes the types of patients that nurses can care for, the procedures that nurses can perform, and the medications that nurses can prescribe.
Continuing education requirements: Most states require nurses to complete continuing education credits in order to maintain their licenses. These credits can help nurses to stay up-to-date on the latest nursing practices and procedures.
Disciplinary actions: BONs have the authority to take disciplinary action against nurses who violate the law or the standards of nursing practice. This can include fines, suspension of licensure, or revocation of licensure.
It is important for nurses to be familiar with the regulations that govern their practice. These regulations can be found on the website of the BON in the state where the nurse is licensed. Nurses should also be aware of the disciplinary actions that can be taken against nurses who violate the law or the standards of nursing practice.

Here are two APRN regulations to focus on:

Collaborative practice agreement: A collaborative practice agreement is a legal document that outlines the relationship between an APRN and a physician. This agreement typically includes the scope of practice for the APRN, the roles and responsibilities of the APRN and the physician, and the process for resolving disagreements.
Prescribing authority: The authority to prescribe medications varies from state to state. In some states, APRNs have full prescriptive authority, while in other states they must collaborate with a physician. Nurses should be familiar with the laws in their state regarding prescriptive authority.
By understanding the regulations that govern nursing practice, nurses can help to ensure that they are providing safe and ethical care.