What are Nurse Practice Acts and Why Do They Matter?

What Are Nurse Practice Acts?

When you visit the dentist or a doctor, you expect them to be licensed and competent, right? It’s the same way with nursing. States uphold their duty to protect the public by setting minimum standards for education, licensure, and practice for all kinds of professions.

Each state has a Nurse Practice Act (NPA), which are laws and regulations passed by state governments that guide and regulate every aspect of nursing practice. If you’re starting your career, moving, or just found out nurses in another state can do something you can’t, you may wonder what the NPA means to you. Knowing a state’s NPA is also essential for travel nurses. Read on to learn more about Nurse Practice Acts.

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What Are Nurse Practice Acts?

Each state has a Nurse Practice Act approved by the state legislature. These laws then provide the framework for the Board of Nursing (BON), which has the authority to ensure compliance throughout the state.

Nursing Practice Acts typically define the following:

What does that all mean?

In simple terms, NPAs define who can use the title of nurse, what nurses can do, and what happens to nurses who do not follow the laws. The BON is responsible for enforcing the NPA, which ultimately protects both public safety and the nursing profession.

The Board of Nursing typically,