Topic 11: Legal issues in Nursing

What is the mission statement of the LSBN?

To safeguard the life and health of the citizens of Louisiana by assuring persons practicing as Registered Nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses are competent and safe.

What are the 7 powers of the LSBN?

• approve schools of nursing

• establish standards for nursing practice

• examine, approve, renew, and reinstate licenses

• deny, revoke, suspend, probate, or otherwise discipline licenses

• estabish procedures for disciplinary process

• establish alternatives to disciplinary process

• maintain records of all board proceedings

What is the Nurse Practice Act (NPA (37:911))

• This law authorizes the Louisiana State Board of Nursing to establish administrative rules and regulations to implement the Nurse Practice Act in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

• serves as an example of statutory law

• Regulate the practice of the RN and APRN

Interpretations of the statutes and rules by the LSBN are done through:

• _______________

• _______________

Interpretations of the statutes and rules bu the LSBN are done through:

• declaratory statements → Board issues statements in response to requests for clarification of the effect of rules and regulations. Impacts all of nursing practice in the state.

• practice opinions → Opinions rendered by the Board based on specific nursing practice situations.

Practice opinions are issued in the form of a ____________

Practice opinions are issued in the form of a petition

Competency in nursing practice appropriate to an individual involves:

• _____________

• _____________

• _____________

• _____________

Competency in nursing practice appropriate to an individual involves:

• knowledge

• skills

• abilities

• educational level 

Regarding scope of practice, nurses must have both the _________ as well as the ___________ to perfom the function

Regarding scope of practice, nurses must have both the ability as well as the authority to perform the function

True/False: Scope of practice is a fluid concept and can change as knowledge and technology advance

True

True/False: RN’s who delegate interventions retain the responsibility of ensuring the intervention is performed in accordance with standards of practice, policies, and procedures

True

In order for an RN to delegate a task to unlicensed personnel, the task must be ____________

In order for an RN to delegate a task to unlicensed personnel, the task must be non-complex

What are the criteria for non-complex tasks?

• Can be performed according to directions

• No need to alter standard procedure

• Results are predictable

What are the criteria for complex tasks?

• Require consideration of a number of factors

• Requires judgment to determine how to proceed

• Patient’s condition is unstable

What is the most frequent criminal violation for nurses?

DUI