Standards of Professional Nursing Practice

Standards of Professional Nursing Practice

• Defined by the American Nurses Association as authoritative duties for registered nurses across all roles, populations, and specialties.
• Emphasis on competency in performing expected nursing duties.

State Practice Acts

• Empower state boards of nursing to create administrative rules and regulations governing nursing practice.
• Outline criteria for nursing education programs, scope of practice, prescriptive authority, and specifics about titles and licenses.
• Address violations and disciplinary actions within nursing practice.
• Variation exists among states in practice requirements, including certification processes and collaborative practice agreements.

Prescriptive Authority

• Nurse Practitioners' (NPs) capability to prescribe medications and services is influenced primarily by state practice acts.
• NPs can obtain registration numbers from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) for advanced practice, but state laws determine the extent of their prescriptive authority.

Scope of Practice

• Defined by individual State Nurse Practice Acts, reflecting legal allowances in each state.
• National Certifying Body (ANCC) determines the extent of competency through Board Certification.
• Some states impose narrower legal scopes of practice, limiting NP roles and responsibilities.
• Nursing practice guidelines vary significantly between states, influencing the NP's operational framework.
• NP roles emphasize clinical leadership, research-based practices, and continuity of care.
• Collaboration, care coordination, family assessment, and discharge planning are essential components of NP responsibilities.

Credentials

• Comprise education, licensure, and certification necessary for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
• The LACE Consensus Model outlines the necessary components for NP credentialing.
• Credentials establish minimal acceptable performance levels for NPs.
• Acknowledges the legal scope of practice designated for NPs.
• Mandates accountability among practitioners to ensure adherence to professional standards.
• Enforces a consistent level of practice among NPs to protect public safety and welfare.

Licensure

• Confirms qualification to fulfill specific professional roles within nursing.
• Licensure is granted by regulatory bodies, typically state boards of nursing.
• Regulations governing licensure define eligibility, ensuring only qualified individuals practice as NPs.

This quiz covers the essential standards of professional nursing practice as defined by the American Nurses Association. It also addresses state practice acts, focusing on their role in establishing educational standards and regulations for nursing practice. Test your understanding of these critical elements in nursing.