Texas Nurse Practice Act
Texas Nurse Practice Act - Answer - it is considered nursing law and applies to all
licensed nurses regardless of educational level
- This Occupations Code defines nursing practice and gives the BON the authority to
make rules which are then implemented and interpreted in the Texas Nurse Practice Act
Legislature - Answer only the Legislature can change the NPA but the BON can make
rule changes as needed to help in the application of the NPA due to evolving practice
and settings.
Board of Nursing Mission/ Primary Purpose - Answer To regulate the practice of nursing
which ensures the protection and promotion of the welfare of the people of Texas by
ensuring that everyone with a nursing license is competent and can practice safely
Board of Nursing Responsibilities - Answer - Regulation of the practice of both
professsional (PN) and vocational nursing (VN)
- Licensure and Practice for nurses, employers and the public to ensure that HC
professionals and consumers are informed
-- examine and license qualified applicants of GVN, GN, & APN
-- License by endorsement qualified applicants
Board of Nursing Functions - Answer - establish standards of nursing practice and
regulate the practice of PN and VN
- receive complaints and investigate violations of the NPA
- Discipline violators through appropriate legal actions
- Provide a mechanism for public comment about rules and regulations
BON Functions - Answer - Recommend to the legislature changes to the NPA to remain
current with public needs
- Establish standards for nursing education and accredit or deny accreditation to
schools of nursing
-- recommendations
-- commendations
BON Functions - Answer - Monitor NCLEX results to determine effectiveness of school
programs (reason for Exit Exam)
- Provide advice and counsel to faculty of educational programs to continually improve
- Implement and manage all other programs and responsibilities authorized and
mandated by legislature
Role of the Legislature - Answer - NPA can only be changed by the Texas Legislature
which convenes every 2 years for 140 days or in special sessions called by the
Governor
,- Legislature gives the BON general rule-making authority which allows them to develop
more details
- Lobbying by interested parties is done by professional organizations
Sunset Review - Answer - Process by which Texas Legislature determines if state
agencies should continue to exist or be "sunset" (Discontinued)
- sunset review occur every 12 years
- BON underwent Sunset review during the 2007 legislative session
Licensure - Answer - Is necessary to practice or offer to practice as a RN or VN
- Acceptable titles: RN, GN, or Professional Nurse, LVN, GVN, Vocational nurse (LPN)
- Only these titles may use the term "Nurse"
- Exceptions are authorized by the state or federal govt. or under the delegation of a RN
(nurse aide)
-- CNA
-- Doctor's offices?
Licensure - Answer - Licenses must be renewed every 2 years based on birth month
and year.
- Includes requirements for continuing education
- Failure to renew on time and continue to work will result in disciplinary actions which
may include revoking your license
Name Badges - Answer - Name according to nurse's preference
- Must include type of license (RN, LVN)
- May include: degrees, certifications, position, picture, employer
Nurse Imposters - Answer Some people with either a revoked license or a little
knowledge will hire into a doctor's office or home health agency with the promise of a
license to come.
- These people will be arrested and prosecuted for being a nurse imposter. Your picture
will show up in the BON Nursing Quarterly
Definition of "Professional Nursing" - Answer - Performance/act that requires substantial
specialized judgment and skill
- Includes: the observation, holistic assessment, intervention, evaluation, rehabilitation,
care/counsel, or health teachings of a person is ill, injured, infirm, or experiencing a
health change
- Maintenance of health/prevention of illness
- Administration of medication
- Supervision of teaching of nursing
- The requesting/receiving/signing for/ and distribution of prescription drug
- performance of act delegated by physicians
- development of a nursing care plan
, Basics of Nursing Practice - Answer - you must keep the Board informed of your current
address at all times. Do this by sending written notice, clearly marked "change of
address" to the Board's office any time you move.
- failure to do so can result in a lapse of your license and potential disciplinary action
Standards of Nursing Practice - Rule 217-11 - Answer - Standards of Practice establish
a minimum acceptable level of nursing practice in any setting for each level of nursing
licensure
- Failure to adhere standards may result in action against the nurse's license even if no
harm occurred to patient
- the hospital administrators, the Chief Nursing Officer and Nurse Managers all have
duty to uphold all recognized standards.
Standards of Nursing Practice - Answer - "Professional nursing: performance of an act
which requires substantial specialized judgment and skill...based on the knowledge and
application of the principles of bio, physical, and social science"
- Vocational nursing: "means a directed scope of practice"
- This means a LVN must always be under the supervision of a licensed practitioner
such as RN, physician, podiatrist.
- This supervision does not necessarily mean on-site but may be by phone, but must be
easily reached.
Standards of Practice - Answer - you must know the laws, regulations, standards of TX
NPA: Patient's Bill of Rights, Code of Ethics, Abuse laws, etc.
- ignorance is not a defense
- following institutional policies is not a defense
- You must be able to identify how the LVN and RN Scope of Practice are alike and how
they differ.
Standards of Nursing Practice - Answer - Implement measures to insure a safe
environment
-- this may come partly from institutional policies
-- but nurses have a direct duty to the patient and following policies is not enough
- Know purpose and side effects of every medication and treatment the patient receives.
-- duty is to the patient so do not blindly follow orders or policies
- Accurately and thoroughly document aspects of care
Standards of Nursing Practice - Answer - Provide for privacy and confidentiality
- Promote and provide education and counseling
- Be responsible for your orientation, supervision, and training
-- this includes safe and correct handling of all equipment.
- Provide care without discrimination
-- Examples: homeless
- Clarify orders
-- duty to question incomplete or questionable orders: name, dose, route, frequency
- Implement appropriate infection control policies
Texas Nurse Practice Act - Answer - it is considered nursing law and applies to all
licensed nurses regardless of educational level
- This Occupations Code defines nursing practice and gives the BON the authority to
make rules which are then implemented and interpreted in the Texas Nurse Practice Act
Legislature - Answer only the Legislature can change the NPA but the BON can make
rule changes as needed to help in the application of the NPA due to evolving practice
and settings.
Board of Nursing Mission/ Primary Purpose - Answer To regulate the practice of nursing
which ensures the protection and promotion of the welfare of the people of Texas by
ensuring that everyone with a nursing license is competent and can practice safely
Board of Nursing Responsibilities - Answer - Regulation of the practice of both
professsional (PN) and vocational nursing (VN)
- Licensure and Practice for nurses, employers and the public to ensure that HC
professionals and consumers are informed
-- examine and license qualified applicants of GVN, GN, & APN
-- License by endorsement qualified applicants
Board of Nursing Functions - Answer - establish standards of nursing practice and
regulate the practice of PN and VN
- receive complaints and investigate violations of the NPA
- Discipline violators through appropriate legal actions
- Provide a mechanism for public comment about rules and regulations
BON Functions - Answer - Recommend to the legislature changes to the NPA to remain
current with public needs
- Establish standards for nursing education and accredit or deny accreditation to
schools of nursing
-- recommendations
-- commendations
BON Functions - Answer - Monitor NCLEX results to determine effectiveness of school
programs (reason for Exit Exam)
- Provide advice and counsel to faculty of educational programs to continually improve
- Implement and manage all other programs and responsibilities authorized and
mandated by legislature
Role of the Legislature - Answer - NPA can only be changed by the Texas Legislature
which convenes every 2 years for 140 days or in special sessions called by the
Governor
,- Legislature gives the BON general rule-making authority which allows them to develop
more details
- Lobbying by interested parties is done by professional organizations
Sunset Review - Answer - Process by which Texas Legislature determines if state
agencies should continue to exist or be "sunset" (Discontinued)
- sunset review occur every 12 years
- BON underwent Sunset review during the 2007 legislative session
Licensure - Answer - Is necessary to practice or offer to practice as a RN or VN
- Acceptable titles: RN, GN, or Professional Nurse, LVN, GVN, Vocational nurse (LPN)
- Only these titles may use the term "Nurse"
- Exceptions are authorized by the state or federal govt. or under the delegation of a RN
(nurse aide)
-- CNA
-- Doctor's offices?
Licensure - Answer - Licenses must be renewed every 2 years based on birth month
and year.
- Includes requirements for continuing education
- Failure to renew on time and continue to work will result in disciplinary actions which
may include revoking your license
Name Badges - Answer - Name according to nurse's preference
- Must include type of license (RN, LVN)
- May include: degrees, certifications, position, picture, employer
Nurse Imposters - Answer Some people with either a revoked license or a little
knowledge will hire into a doctor's office or home health agency with the promise of a
license to come.
- These people will be arrested and prosecuted for being a nurse imposter. Your picture
will show up in the BON Nursing Quarterly
Definition of "Professional Nursing" - Answer - Performance/act that requires substantial
specialized judgment and skill
- Includes: the observation, holistic assessment, intervention, evaluation, rehabilitation,
care/counsel, or health teachings of a person is ill, injured, infirm, or experiencing a
health change
- Maintenance of health/prevention of illness
- Administration of medication
- Supervision of teaching of nursing
- The requesting/receiving/signing for/ and distribution of prescription drug
- performance of act delegated by physicians
- development of a nursing care plan
, Basics of Nursing Practice - Answer - you must keep the Board informed of your current
address at all times. Do this by sending written notice, clearly marked "change of
address" to the Board's office any time you move.
- failure to do so can result in a lapse of your license and potential disciplinary action
Standards of Nursing Practice - Rule 217-11 - Answer - Standards of Practice establish
a minimum acceptable level of nursing practice in any setting for each level of nursing
licensure
- Failure to adhere standards may result in action against the nurse's license even if no
harm occurred to patient
- the hospital administrators, the Chief Nursing Officer and Nurse Managers all have
duty to uphold all recognized standards.
Standards of Nursing Practice - Answer - "Professional nursing: performance of an act
which requires substantial specialized judgment and skill...based on the knowledge and
application of the principles of bio, physical, and social science"
- Vocational nursing: "means a directed scope of practice"
- This means a LVN must always be under the supervision of a licensed practitioner
such as RN, physician, podiatrist.
- This supervision does not necessarily mean on-site but may be by phone, but must be
easily reached.
Standards of Practice - Answer - you must know the laws, regulations, standards of TX
NPA: Patient's Bill of Rights, Code of Ethics, Abuse laws, etc.
- ignorance is not a defense
- following institutional policies is not a defense
- You must be able to identify how the LVN and RN Scope of Practice are alike and how
they differ.
Standards of Nursing Practice - Answer - Implement measures to insure a safe
environment
-- this may come partly from institutional policies
-- but nurses have a direct duty to the patient and following policies is not enough
- Know purpose and side effects of every medication and treatment the patient receives.
-- duty is to the patient so do not blindly follow orders or policies
- Accurately and thoroughly document aspects of care
Standards of Nursing Practice - Answer - Provide for privacy and confidentiality
- Promote and provide education and counseling
- Be responsible for your orientation, supervision, and training
-- this includes safe and correct handling of all equipment.
- Provide care without discrimination
-- Examples: homeless
- Clarify orders
-- duty to question incomplete or questionable orders: name, dose, route, frequency
- Implement appropriate infection control policies
