Nursing 108

N108: Transition to the Registered Professional Nurse Role Study Guide The legal definition of nursing and the scope of practice have been given the following definition by the NCSBN: Nursing is a scientific process founded on a professional body of knowledge; it is a learned profession based on an understanding of the human condition across the lifespan and the relationship of a client with others and within the environment; and it is an art dedicated to caring for others. The practice of nursing means assisting clients to attain or maintain optimal health, implementing a strategy of care to accomplish defined goals within the context of a client-centered health care plan, and evaluating responses to nursing care and treatment. Nursing is a dynamic discipline that is continually evolving to include more sophisticated knowledge, technologies, and client care activities (NCSBN, 2009). Nurse Practice Acts are the statutes that credential nurses. Each statute has various components which include a definition of nursing, establishment of a Board of Nursing, regulation of schools of nursing, requirements for licensure, and grounds for discipline or revocation of the license. Licensure refers to the legal credentials conferred by an individual state that grants permission to practice a given profession. Licensure provides a baseline (minimum expectation of practice). Each state’s licensure law differs slightly, but there are similarities, and the goal is to protect the public and define the legal limits of the practice of nursing. The statute sets the requirements for licensure. The agency that administers the statute may add further details and regulations to these requirements. The term endorsement refers to the method by which a nurse who moves to another state may obtain licensure. The nurse’s license, education, and test scores are endorsed by the state where he or she previously lived. Grounds for revoking a nurse’s license are spelled out in the statute and details added by regulations. These vary from state to state. Some typical examples include endangering patients, failure to meet the standards of nursing, drug or alcohol addiction, and professional misconduct. State Boards of Nursing The statute will define the purpose of the board, but in most cases, its role is to administer the law. The purpose of the law is to protect the public. The State Board of Nursing should not be confused with the State Nurse Association. The State Nurse Association exists to protect the nurse. Roles of the state boards of nursing usually have to do with ensuring the safety of the public. The function of the board varies according to their mandate from the state statute. However, they typically write the rules and regulations that implement the statute, as well as accredit schools, examine applicants, license by endorsement, and assure compliance with the law. The board accepts and investigates complaints, and depending on the charges, hears cases, make decisions, and disciplines licenses as required. Individuals must determine how best to prepare for the licensure examination based on their background and preferred study style. A review of the knowledge basic to nursing is important for most individuals. The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is the initial licensure process that the applicant must take and pass. Within the last century, nurse licensure moved from a permissive license, which protected the title RN, to a mandatory license. A

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