Question

Regulation of healthcare has been subject to many rules, laws and requirements. Requirements continually change based on client outcomes, scientific evidence and political inputs. Discuss one law or regulation that directly impact the practice of the RN? How can an RN keep up their practice with the ever changing requirements?

Answer 1

1) NURSING PRACTICE ACT :- The Nursing Practice Act (NPA) is the body of California law that mandates the Board to set out the scope of practice and responsibilities for RNs. The NPA is located in the California Business and Professions Code starting with Section 2700. Regulations which specify the implementation of the law appear in the California Code of Regulations.According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), “the Standards of Professional Nursing Practice are authoritative statements of the duties that all registered nurses, regardless of role, population or specialty are expected to perform competently”. The ANA further states that the standards can change as the dynamics of professional nursing evolve and that specific clinical circumstances or conditions might affect the application of the standards at any given time (ANA, 2010). In 2010, ANA endorsed WOC nursing as a specialty practice (Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society, 2010). Therefore, it is important for WOC nurses to be aware of the standards and scope of practice as a foundational guide to excellence in practice and to recognize the legal implications of standards and definitions of the scope of practice.
The legal aspects of nursing have an impact on the manner in which care is delivered to patients by nurses. Legal concerns shape the environment in which nursing is practiced and determine how documents are kept or shared.Ultimately, nurses and the nursing care they provide are judged based on a legal definition for the standard of care for nurses. Written standards of care and guidelines are available as resources for determining how nursing care is to be delivered and the quality of care. However, the legal definition of the standard of care for nurses is not a “guideline” or a “policy” set by any one individual or institution. Rather, it is the embodiment of collective knowledge for what is required of the average nurse and sets the minimum criteria for proficiency.Federal and state laws also impact the manner in which nursing is practiced. Health care is one of the most regulated sectors of commerce, and much of the regulation of the industry comes from federal and state laws. Other regulatory requirements are imposed by various government-sponsored programs, such as Medicare, or are self-imposed to conform to various other government and private initiatives. Due to the potential for civil and criminal liabilities and sanctions in regard to health care, nurses should be familiar with key statutes and regulations regarding the delivery of patient care.This chapter is meant to provide an overview of the legal standard of care for nurses and its impact upon nursing practice. Nursing malpractice is described and suggestions are provided for minimizing risks for malpractice suits. The chapter also includes an overview of laws that affect the practice of nursing.
2) Health care is an ever changing environment that requires new and experienced nurses alike to stay current in their practice.This can often feel impossible given the demanding schedule and complexity of patient assignments on a day to day basis, but the following tips can help you stay current.Almost every specialty has a professional organization that can help you remain up to date on the latest changes in your practice.These groups also offer a plethora of resources designed to expand your networking opportunities and aid in ongoing education.With a membership, you will get full access to the organization’s resources and discounted prices to conferences and other events. You may also benefit from continuing education hours that are relevant to your practice and can be applied towards your license renewal.Register for a webinar and attend a conference.