Page 49 - Essentials of Nursing Leadership and Management, 5th Edition

CikguOnline
2208_Ch03_021-038.qxd 11/6/09 5:55 PM Page 36
36 unit 1 | Professional Considerations CikguOnline
licensure. This information can usually be found on ■ Functioning outside the scope of practice
the board of nursing Web site for that particular state. ■ Engaging in child or elder abuse
Multistate Licensure Nurses convicted of a felony or found guilty in a
malpractice action may find themselves before their
The concept of multistate licensure allows a nurse
state board of nursing or, in Canada, the provincial
licensed in one state to practice in additional states
or territorial regulatory body.
without obtaining additional licenses.NCSBN cre-
Disciplinary action may include but is not lim-
ated a Multistate Licensure Compact that permits
ited to the suspension or revocation of a nursing
this practice. States that belong to the compact
license, mandatory fines, and mandatory continu-
have passed legislation adopting the terms of this
ing education. For more information regarding the
agreement and are known as party states. The
regulations that guide nursing practice, consult the
nurse’s home state is the state where he or she lives
board of nursing in your state or, in Canada, your
and received his or her original license. Renewal of
provincial or territorial regulatory body.
the license is completed in the home state.
A nurse can hold only one home-state license. If
the nurse moves to another state that belongs to Conclusion
the compact, the nurse applies for licensure within
Nurses need to understand the legalities involved
that state based on residency.The nurse is expected
in the delivery of safe health care. It is important
to follow the guidelines for nursing practice for
to know the standards of care established within
that new state.The multistate licensure applies only
your institution and the rules and regulations in
to a basic registered nurse license, not to advanced
the nurse practice acts of your state, province, or
practice. More information on multistate licensure
territory because these are the standards to which
can be found on the NCSBN Web site.
you will be held accountable. Health-care con-
Disciplinary Action sumers have a right to quality care and the expec-
tation that all information regarding diagnosis
State boards of nursing maintain rules and regula-
and treatment will remain confidential. Nurses
tions for the practice of nursing. Violation of these
have an obligation to deliver quality care and
regulations results in disciplinary actions as delin-
respect client confidentiality. Caring for clients
eated by these boards. Issues of primary concern
safely and avoiding legal difficulties require nurses
include but are not limited to the following:
to adhere to the expected standards of care and
■ Falsifying documents to obtain a license document changes in client status carefully.
■ Being convicted of a felony Licensure helps to ensure that health-care con-
■ Practicing while under the influence of drugs sumers are receiving competent and safe care from
or alcohol their nurses.
Study Questions
1. How do federal laws, court decisions, and state boards of nursing affect nursing practice? Give an
example of each.
2. Obtain a copy of the nurse practice act in your state. What are some of the penalties for violation
of the rules and regulations?
3. The next time you are on your clinical unit, look at the nursing documentation done by several
different staff members. Do you believe it is adequate? Explain your rationale.

4. How does your institution handle medication errors?
5. If a nurse is found to be less than proficient in the delivery of safe care, how should the nurse
manager remedy the situation?