Nursing Practice Act Questionnaire 1. How many people are on the Board of Nursing (BRN) and who do they represent? How are they appointed: What are the implications of this process? There is a total of nine people on the BRN. They represent the (4) members of the public and (5) registered nurses. The majority are appointed by the governor and two by the Legislative body. One implication is it only takes one RN to change a vote is all 4 non-RN members are in agreement. 2. How is the practice of nursing defined? Nursing is defined as the many responsibilities performed in providing healthcare to aid in healing, treatment, and recovery for a patient from common issues, daily issues, potential issues and emergencies. Specialized education is required to learn the skills necessary to practice. 3. What are the independent functions of nursing practice according to the Nursing Practice Act? Independent functions do not require supervision or an order from another person and must be done if and when they are needed. Some include various tests that may require blood or use of syringes, protection and education of patients, analysis of conditions and behaviors as well as taking measures for preventing the spread of communicable disease. 4. What are the dependent functions of nursing practice according to the Nursing Practice Act? Dependent functions include direct or indirect patient care and require an order from a higher authority, with a broader scope of practice like a doctor, and include writing prescriptions for and administering medication to patients and aspects of rehabilitation. 5. What are the interdependent (Standardized Procedures) functions of nursing practice according to the Nursing Practice Act? Interdependent functions include any patient care that follows the regimented procedures, which are functions legally within the scope of practice for that nurse. They permit a nurse to perform duties typically considered more "medical" and can be dependent or independent such as conscious sedation or intubations. 6. Locate the regulation referring to emergency care (Good Samaritan) by nurses. What does it say? What does this mean to you? This regulation indicates that a nurse is a nurse 24/7 and can be held accountable for action that does not support the definition of nursing practice. If we offer assistance to someone in an emergency we are required to stay even if a patient says that they are fine, or are a doctor, or do not want to be helped. Someone with equal to or a broader scope of practice can take over. It does not apply if you yourself are unsafe, on duty, or if you to get EMS assistance. RNs can only do what skills that are within their scope and must close the loop with EMS. 7. How can the BRN discipline? Once a RN is found guilty of an offense the board can enact several disciplinary actions. These include suspending judgment, placing a RN on probation, suspending the right to practice nursing for up to one year, and revoking the license. Other actions can be performed and are at the discretion of the Board. 8. The BRN can take disciplinary action for what types of offenses? The BRN can take disciplinary action if violation(s) of the NPA occur in which the RN is found guilty of unprofessional conduct. Some violations include falsification of records, substance abuse, incompetence, and gross negligence. 9. How does the code define “gross negligence”? Gross negligence is an extreme deviation from the standard of practices for RNs which can be demonstrated in repeated failure to provide legally required care or failure to provide care or exercise precaution in a single situation which the nurse knew, or should have known, could result in patient harm. 10. What are the “Standards of Competent Performance”? What does this mean for you and your practice? These standards involve a number of factors, much like the nursing process, including assessment, validation of the assessed data, forming a nursing diagnosis, identification of goals and expected outcomes derived from the nursing diagnosis, determination of the nursing plan of care, implementing appropriate nursing interventions, and evaluation of the effectiveness the interventions had. And all must be within the scope of practice and at the level of car expected for a RN of that individuals’ certifications or licensure. This should also include acting as an advocate for the patient at all times. To meet these standards a nurse will need to constantly study and practice technical skills and stay up to date on current fields of knowledge and technology.
