As nurses we go about our daily activities caring for patients and their families and doing what nurses do. It is my experience from the classes I teach that nurses don’t know a lot about the board of nursing except they issue them a license to practice. If you are one of these nurses, check out the information below. This is just a quick list of six topics to help you become better informed.
- Nursing Practice Act – The NPA is not written by the Board of Nursing. It is a legal document written by the state legislature. The legislature can add to or change the NPA at any time and once they have written the law, it is given to the board of nursing who is charged with writing the rules so nurses can better understand their responsibility. The NPA identifies the parameters of our practice based on our education. It defines vocational and professional nursing.
- Mission – Many nurses believe that the board of nursing is an advocate for nurses and nursing. According to the NPA and as posted on the board’s website, the board exists for the protection and welfare of the people of Texas. They are charged to assure that every nurse who is licensed in this state is competent to practice safely and therefore assures public safety.
- Position Statements – because the NPA is written by the state legislature, it may not include some specific information in the law. The board cannot write laws, so they have developed another method of letting nurses know where they stand on some specific issues and topics related to public safety. These position papers are written on multiple topics and lets the nurse know where the board stands and their position on these topics. Position statements are reviewed annually to make sure they are current and accurately reflect the current practices
- Good Professional Character –Good Professional character became effective October 29, 2015. It is a requirement that all nurses demonstrate good professional character as spelled out in board rule 213.27. The board maintains that it is the nurse’s responsibility to show evidence of good professional character if necessary. This rule can be used when a nurse is bought before the board for disciplinary action. It is one of the ways the board assures that nurses are able to care for patients in the best interest of the patient. This rule also addresses the board’s responsibility to the public if the nurse comes from another jurisdiction with stipulations against their license.
- Newsletter The board publishes a quarterly newsletter that provides some important information. It lets you know of any changes in the laws, nursing practice and other pertinent information r/t practice. We are familiar with the section that lists nurses with disciplinary action taken against their license. Some nurses become upset about this service to the public. It is good to keep in mind, that the board believes that they public has a right to know and this is another method to keep the public informed and safe. The newsletter also shares new practice changes and best practices. It is important for the nurse to remember that once information is published in the newsletter, it is the board’s way of informing the nurse and it is the nurse’s responsibility to know and implement the changes related to the area of practice.
- License – finally, the board is responsible for issuing our license to practice. They assure that individuals seeking to become licensed to practice are educated and competent to practice safely. The board monitors nursing education programs to make sure that the student is being taught the appropriate content. During renewal the board reviews the nurses license for any reportable activity that could negatively impact the nurse being able to renew his/her license to practice.
In conclusion, there is much more that nurses need to know. The board is very clear that each nurse is responsible and held accountable for their own practice. It behooves nurses to keep themselves informed because the board holds that ignorance is not bliss. Visit the board’s website from time to time and read the newsletter, The Bulletin when it arrives in your mailbox.
Let me know what you think and if there are any issues or concerns you have. We may be able to address them in future blogs.