Which elements are included in every states nurse practice act? select all that apply.

Scope of practice describes the services that a qualified health professional is deemed competent to perform, and permitted to undertake – in keeping with the terms of their professional license.

Scope of practice defined in nursing

The Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice describe the “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” “why,” and “how” of nursing practice:

  • Who: Registered Nurses (RN) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) comprise the “who” constituency and have been educated, titled, and maintain active licensure to practice nursing.
  • What: Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities; prevention of illness and injury; facilitation of healing; alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response; and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations.
  • Where: Wherever there is a patient in need of care.
  • When: Whenever there is a need for nursing knowledge, compassion, and expertise.
  • Why: The profession exists to achieve the most positive patient outcomes in keeping with nursing’s social contract and obligation to society.

When each of these questions is answered, the complex considerations in scope of practice become clear. In a profession as dynamic as nursing, and with evolving health care demands, changes in scope of practice and overlapping responsibilities are inevitable in our current and future health care system.


Which elements are included in every states nurse practice act? select all that apply.

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Nursing Specialty Recognition, Scope and Standards Review, Affirmation of Competencies

The American Nurses Association has an established review program for recognition of a nursing specialty, approval of a specialty nursing scope of practice statement, acknowledgment of specialty nursing standards of practice, and affirmation of focused practice competencies. Details about each component of this program, specialty characteristics, review criteria, and submission process are described here.

Health care licensure

Currently, all health care licensure is state-based, and there is some variability between the qualifications for licensure and re-licensure for each state.

Defining scope of practice is generally a two-step process:

  • Step 1: The state legislature passes a law, known as a “nurse practice act.”
  • Step 2: Regulatory bodies then create and implement rules and regulations, intended to protect the public.

Choice in health care providers

The American Nurses Association (ANA) believes that patients’ interests are best served by a health care system in which many different types of qualified professionals are available, accessible, and working together – collaboratively. Therefore, it is important for scope of practice to reflect a professional’s true expertise.

ANA is a founding member of the Coalition for Patient’s Rights (CPR), which was established to improve patients’ access to the health care providers of their choice, and the range of services those providers offer. The CPR consists of more than 35 organizations representing a variety of licensed health care professionals, each providing a diverse array of safe, effective, and affordable care.

Protecting and advancing scope of practice

Protecting and advancing scope of practice for nurses is a major initiative for ANA. In the fast-moving world of health care, it is vital that nurses are able to practice to the full extent of their education and abilities, in order to deliver the most efficient, quality care to patients.

There is a growing body of evidence to support the safe and cost-effective provision of care by APRNs, and a national call to remove all barriers to full practice authority. ANA remains committed to monitoring and advocating for legislative and regulatory changes relating to scope of practice, with the aim of removing practice barriers for nurses and improving access to care.

All states and territories legislated a nurse practice act (NPA) which establishes a board of nursing (BON) with the authority to develop administrative rules or regulations to clarify or make the law more specific. Rules and regulations must be consistent with the NPA and cannot go beyond it. These rules and regulations undergo a process of public review before enactment. Once enacted, rules and regulations have the full force and effect of law. Use this toolkit to:

  • Learn about the law and regulations that guide and govern nursing practice
  • Locate your state nurse practice act and regulations
  • Access nurse practice act educational resources

International Center for Regulatory Scholarship (ICRS) NPA Courses

NCSBN partnered with each participating state board of nursing to develop the online nurse practice acts course program. The following states are currently participating.

    • Arkansas
    • Georgia
    • Idaho
    • Iowa
    • Massachusetts
    • Minnesota
    • Missouri

    • Montana
    • Nevada
    • New Mexico
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • Oregon

    • Rhode Island
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • West Virginia-PN
    • West Virginia-RN
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming

Which elements are included in every state's nurse practice Act?

Nurse practice acts are established in each state to regulate the practice of nursing by defining the legal scope of nursing practice, creating a state board of nursing to make and enforce rules and regulations, define important terms and activities in nursing, and establish criteria for the education and licensure of ...

What are common elements in a state's nurse practice Act quizlet?

What is a common element of every state practice act? Rationale: Nurse practice acts define the legal scope of nursing practice, create a state board of nursing to make & enforce rules & regulations, define important terms & activities in nursing, & establish criteria for the education & licensure of nurses.

Which is true of the nurse practice acts in all states?

All states follow the same nurse practice acts. State boards of nursing provide oversight of nurse practice acts. State nurse practice acts define and protect the profession of nursing. All state nurse practice acts define minimum educational requirements for licensure.

What are the nurse practice acts quizlet?

Explanation: A) A nurse practice act (NPA) is a series of state statutes that define the scope of practice, standards for education programs, licensure requirements, and grounds for disciplinary actions. The law provides a framework for establishing nursing actions in the care of clients.