Nurse Practice Act
As a registered nurse, the most important responsibility to have is to the patient. The nurse is a trusted advocate, not only providing care, but also education and support that benefits the patient’s overall well-being. There is an obligation that registered nurses must maintain a safe and competent practice for every aspect of nursing and this is how the Nurse Practice Act becomes incorporated into the care. Many possibilities can arise in nursing and situations are never the same, thus, continuously creating new standards produced by laws. These standards are constantly changing due to the growth and demand of society and accomplishes protection for clients and the guidance of nurses in their practice (Russell, 2012, …show more content…
There are Nurse Practice Acts for every state and each state varies with what the nurse can and cannot do. Nurse Practice Acts are established by a Board of Nursing, consisting of administration, physicians, and most importantly other nurses. The Board of Nursing designs methods for certain protocols and standard procedures (Murray & McKinney, 2014, p. 37). Under the California Nursing Practice Act (CNPA), the act explains that no other agency, facility, or board can define or construe the practice of nursing. Within this act, nurses are required to uphold direct or indirect safety, comfort, and personalized measures for the protection of their patients and clients (CNPA, 2013, Section 2725). Likewise, as a nursing student it is most critical to understand the Nurse Practice Act and make it the foundation for care as a registered …show more content…
However, if I implement the Nurse Practice Act in my daily routine, I will not only be a more competent nurse, but I will have confidence in the care I provide. One of my main jobs as a registered nurse is patient care, which includes the administration of medications. Medications are constantly changing, therefore the correct procedure of dispensing medications should be followed under the Nurse Practice Act. According to CNPA, medication needs to be ordered by a licensed physician, must identify the type of medication, including identification of the patient receiving the medications and if there are contraindications or side effects, also documentation of the medication given (CNPA, 2013, Section 2725.1(a), 2725.2(5)). Following this protocol not only ensures the appropriate action, as well as the safety of the patient and the safety of my career. Additionally, collaboration of a health care team is needed for the best outcome of the patient. The CNPA states that an unlicensed personnel is prohibited from performing the functions of a registered nurse (CNPA, 2013, Section 2725.3 (a)). Moreover, it is necessary to know which tasks to delegate to the right individuals and which person is authorized to perform that type of
As a registered nurse, the most important responsibility to have is to the patient. The nurse is a trusted advocate, not only providing care, but also education and support that benefits the patient’s overall well-being. There is an obligation that registered nurses must maintain a safe and competent practice for every aspect of nursing and this is how the Nurse Practice Act becomes incorporated into the care. Many possibilities can arise in nursing and situations are never the same, thus, continuously creating new standards produced by laws. These standards are constantly changing due to the growth and demand of society and accomplishes protection for clients and the guidance of nurses in their practice (Russell, 2012, …show more content…
There are Nurse Practice Acts for every state and each state varies with what the nurse can and cannot do. Nurse Practice Acts are established by a Board of Nursing, consisting of administration, physicians, and most importantly other nurses. The Board of Nursing designs methods for certain protocols and standard procedures (Murray & McKinney, 2014, p. 37). Under the California Nursing Practice Act (CNPA), the act explains that no other agency, facility, or board can define or construe the practice of nursing. Within this act, nurses are required to uphold direct or indirect safety, comfort, and personalized measures for the protection of their patients and clients (CNPA, 2013, Section 2725). Likewise, as a nursing student it is most critical to understand the Nurse Practice Act and make it the foundation for care as a registered …show more content…
However, if I implement the Nurse Practice Act in my daily routine, I will not only be a more competent nurse, but I will have confidence in the care I provide. One of my main jobs as a registered nurse is patient care, which includes the administration of medications. Medications are constantly changing, therefore the correct procedure of dispensing medications should be followed under the Nurse Practice Act. According to CNPA, medication needs to be ordered by a licensed physician, must identify the type of medication, including identification of the patient receiving the medications and if there are contraindications or side effects, also documentation of the medication given (CNPA, 2013, Section 2725.1(a), 2725.2(5)). Following this protocol not only ensures the appropriate action, as well as the safety of the patient and the safety of my career. Additionally, collaboration of a health care team is needed for the best outcome of the patient. The CNPA states that an unlicensed personnel is prohibited from performing the functions of a registered nurse (CNPA, 2013, Section 2725.3 (a)). Moreover, it is necessary to know which tasks to delegate to the right individuals and which person is authorized to perform that type of