A nurse practice act is designed to guide professional nurses in the regulations of their practice. The act defines the nurses scope of practice, educational and certification requirements, and disciplinary actions for violations. This paper will discuss the nurse practice act in the state in which I practice nursing, the scope of practice for the registered nurse as defined in the nurse practice act, the scope of practice of the master’s prepared nurse, the differences between the two roles, and the role to which I aspire.
State of Practice The Professional Nursing Law of Pennsylvania (Nurse Practice Act of PA) is the regulation that governs my practice as I work as a registered nurse (RN) in Pennsylvania. The nurse practice act (NPA) …show more content…
The role of the CRNP is expanded upon the registered nurses’ role, but the NPA states that the CRNP “…shall practice within the scope of practice of the particular clinical specialty area in which the nurse is certified by the board (The Professional Nursing Law, 1951/1985).” No specialty areas could be located within the document. The board does elaborate upon the role, stating that CRNP’s, in collaboration with a physician, are permitted to perform medical diagnosis. Provided they act in accordance with all rules and regulations, CRNP’s may also prescribe medical therapeutic or corrective measures, home health, hospice care, durable medical equipment, and issue verbal orders (The Professional Nursing Law, 1951/1985). Certified registered nurse practitioners must have 30 hours of continuing education each license renewal period. For those with prescriptive powers, 18 of those hours must be in pharmacology (The Professional Nursing Law, 1951/1985). A CRNP practicing in Pennsylvania must maintain professional liability insurance (The Professional Nursing Law, …show more content…
Otherwise, the only difference, which is not a role of a nurse, is the criteria stating advance practice nurses must carry professional liability insurance (The Professional Nursing Law, 1951/1985). Comparison between the RN and CRNP reveals the former employs nursing diagnoses while the latter may utilize both nursing and medical diagnoses. Prescriptive privileges for certain medical measures, orders, and equipment is another authority CRNP’s carry (The Professional Nursing Law, 1951/1985). Becoming a CRNP, or master’s prepared nurse for that matter, does not mean one loses the function and responsibility of the registered nurse but rather, one adds to that the function and responsibility of the new
State of Practice The Professional Nursing Law of Pennsylvania (Nurse Practice Act of PA) is the regulation that governs my practice as I work as a registered nurse (RN) in Pennsylvania. The nurse practice act (NPA) …show more content…
The role of the CRNP is expanded upon the registered nurses’ role, but the NPA states that the CRNP “…shall practice within the scope of practice of the particular clinical specialty area in which the nurse is certified by the board (The Professional Nursing Law, 1951/1985).” No specialty areas could be located within the document. The board does elaborate upon the role, stating that CRNP’s, in collaboration with a physician, are permitted to perform medical diagnosis. Provided they act in accordance with all rules and regulations, CRNP’s may also prescribe medical therapeutic or corrective measures, home health, hospice care, durable medical equipment, and issue verbal orders (The Professional Nursing Law, 1951/1985). Certified registered nurse practitioners must have 30 hours of continuing education each license renewal period. For those with prescriptive powers, 18 of those hours must be in pharmacology (The Professional Nursing Law, 1951/1985). A CRNP practicing in Pennsylvania must maintain professional liability insurance (The Professional Nursing Law, …show more content…
Otherwise, the only difference, which is not a role of a nurse, is the criteria stating advance practice nurses must carry professional liability insurance (The Professional Nursing Law, 1951/1985). Comparison between the RN and CRNP reveals the former employs nursing diagnoses while the latter may utilize both nursing and medical diagnoses. Prescriptive privileges for certain medical measures, orders, and equipment is another authority CRNP’s carry (The Professional Nursing Law, 1951/1985). Becoming a CRNP, or master’s prepared nurse for that matter, does not mean one loses the function and responsibility of the registered nurse but rather, one adds to that the function and responsibility of the new