In leading a staff development meeting on the regulation of nursing practice, one needs to consider the differences between a board of nursing and a professional nurse association. The former is a governmental body whose role is to regulate nursing practice within a particular jurisdiction and ensure the protection of the public by enforcing laws and regulations pertaining to nursing. On the other hand, a professional nursing association is a voluntary organization in which the nurses solicit interest that serves the profession’s interests through opportunities for professional development, networking, and collaboration among nurses.
The board of nursing in Texas is referred to as the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). BON is the board consisting of two recognized groups of nurses: the registered nurses (RNs) and the licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), who receive appointments from the Governor of Texas. Members of the board are selected based on their qualifications and experience in nursing practice (Thomas, 2021). The state provides the membership eligibility of the BON: several years licensed as a nurse with some experience in this field.
One prominent state regulation about the scope of practice for the general nurse in Texas falls under the Nurse Practice Act. The act recognizes the different scopes of practice through the definition and delimitation of the state’s registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse, and advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). It outlines clearly the roles and responsibilities that a nurse at every respective level of licensure is authorized to do. This role of a nurse has a very significant impact on the ruling itself in that it gives apparent guidelines on the tasks that the nurse can engage in, therefore ensuring the safety and standards of professional practice of the patient.
The Nurse Practice Act also has implications for healthcare delivery costs and access. In so doing, these ensure that the practice of the nurses is well outlined, hence assuring the patients’ righteousness in getting the right care from such qualified personnel, therefore improving the quality of health care. Further, following the guidelines provided within the Nurse Practice Act may help reduce medical errors and improve patient outcomes, reducing healthcare expenses for preventable complications.
This will enable the nurse to provide culturally sensitive care and, at the same time, follow the state protocols when it comes to caring for patients from varied cultural backgrounds. The nurse or the medical practitioner has to be notified about the health needs and preferences of the patient in line with cultural considerations.
Along with legal regulations and standards of the state, the scope of practice provides the frame under which a nurse could integrate cultural competency into their practice. This includes preparing plans of care and educational materials so that they not only respect cultural differences but also contribute to better communication and adherence to the prescribed treatment.
Besides the broad regulations on the scope of nursing practice, there are specifically defined regulations for APRNs in Texas. For instance, the need for APRNs to be given prescriptive authority, as defined by law, is to be acquired through physician collaboration (Oyeleye, 2019). This regulation defines the parameters within which APRNs may prescribe medications and treatments to promote patient safety and care coordination.
There have been very interesting developments in the regulation of APRNs functioning within the territory of Texas over the last five years. Texas had its Senate Bill 406 accepted in 2019 to incorporate further the APRN scope of practice (Zolnierek, 2020). This law allowed more independence in drug prescription for APRNs; the roles of a supervising physician were eliminated in some practice settings. Second, SB 406 removed the collaborative requirement from the APRN when prescribing controlled substances (Tran, 2020). This further empowers APRNs to provide full-scope care to their patients.
The changes brought about by Senate Bill 406 have had a significant impact on APRNs’ practice in Texas. Widening the scope of practice for APRNs by granting independent practice would make them reach more underserved populations, give them APRNs practicing benefits with improved access to care for the underserved, and lead to improved health outcomes. Moreover, these initiatives, removing barriers to prescription controlled substances, have made pain management more effective, and even the level of patient satisfaction has increased.
In conclusion, understanding the laws and provisions of the states that regulate nursing practice are core functions that prioritize safety and help a nurse provide adequate care to the population. Whether it was adherence to the Nurse Practice Act, the scope of practice regulations for APRNs, or cultural difference regulations while delivering care, the rules should apply to them, and nurses should be updated about them. Remaining current with such regulations and staying involved in professional associations prepare the nurse to be a better advocate for policies that move toward patient safety, improved healthcare delivery, and the progression of the nursing profession.
References
Oyeleye, O. A. (2019). The Nursing Licensure Compact and Its Disciplinary Provisions: What Nurses Should Know. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 24(2).
Thomas, K. (2021). Texas Board of Nursing. Nursing, pp. 2, 4.
Tran, A. Q. (2020). Full practice authority for Nurse practitioners: Is it suitable for Texas? (Doctoral dissertation).
Zolnierek, C. (2020). Political and policy detailing tactics. In Nursing Forum (Vol. 55, No. 1, pp. 65-74).
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