Licensure Issues

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Licensure Issues

• Barbara B. Rees, DSN, RN

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Introduction

• License permits a person to offer skills and
  knowledge to the public
• Defines the scope of practice
• Establishes standards for entry into practice
• Allows for disciplinary action

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State Boards of Nursing

• Purpose- Enforce the Nurse Practice Act
• Function-
• a. Examine
• b. Renewal and endorsement
• c. Define practice
• d. Approve nursing education
• e. Discipline

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Licensure

• Purpose- guarantee public safety
• Requirements
• Protect license
• Grounds for Revocation

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Common Causes for Suspension or Revocation

• Guilty of professional negligence
• Practicing without a license
• Obtaining license by fraud or allowing others to
  use license
• Conviction of a felony related to functions or
  duties of RN

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Common Causes for Suspension or Revocation cont.

• Participating in criminal abortions
• Not reporting substandard medical or nursing care
• Providing care under influence of drugs or
  alcohol
• Giving narcotics without an order
• Falsely claiming to be a nurse practitioner

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Nurse Practice Act

• Purpose
• Protect public by controlling education and
  practice
• Define boundaries of nursing practice
• Clarify nursing roles at different levels

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Nurse Practice Act

• Function
• Different in each state, but in most states
• Describes how to obtain license
• Renewal
• Educational requirements
• Definitions and scope of practice

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Nurse Practice Act cont.

• How board members are selected
• Defines grounds for discipline- revoked or
  suspended
• Process for disciplinary action
• Outlines appeal steps

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Multistate Licensure

• Recommended development
• Many problems
• Cost concern

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American Nurses Association Code for Nurses

• Respect for human dignity and uniqueness
  regardless
• Protect clients privacy
• Safeguard client and public
• Assume responsibility and accountability for
  judgments and actions
• Maintain competence
• Use informed judgment and competence

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American Nurses Association Code for Nurses cont.

• Contribute to professional knowledge
• Participate in activities to improve standards
• Help establish/maintain conditions for high
  quality care
• Protect public from misinformation and
  misrepresentation
• Collaborate with others to promote community and
  national health needs

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NLN Competencies for ADN

• Provide direct care
• Role of Provider of Care
• Role of Manager of Care
• Role of a Member within the Discipline of Nursing
• Importance of competencies at graduation and six
  months after practice