National Nursing Board

RoxanRN · May 9, 2005

I was talking with a friend of mine about his profession, he is a Paramedic, I was not aware that they have a national Registary which allows them to work in any state and have the same scope of pratice in all 50 states.

The National Registery of Emergency Medical Technicians is a curriculm more than it is a national recognized reciprocity. There are a few states out there who don't recognize NREMT and administer their own state curriculm and test (it is, however, gaining 'strength.'). Neither do all state recognize the same Scope of Practice. Some have a greater scope while other have a lesser scope - regardless of if they are a Registery state or not. It just depends on the state.

...allows them to work in any state...

An individual must be certified/licensed in 'X' state in order to work. 'X' state certification/licensure does not mean you can work in 'Y' state without 'Y' state certification/licensure - regardless of the individual's NREMT status.

Each state also has its own State Board of EMS (some administered under various state deparments, ie: Department of Health Services, Department of Public Services and Highway Patrol to name a few).

Roxan

EMICT, RN

PS... You might find this site interesting (http://www.emsmagazine.com/SURVEY/index.html). It details what each state requires for education, CEUs, and reciprocity.

suzanne4, RN · May 9, 2005

Scope of practice can vary in different states, as to what that state permits the EMT-P to perform. Same thing in nursing. Different states have the option as to what they want the nurse to be able to do under thier jurisdiction.

LPNs do not have the same scope of practice in all states. Some permit the LPN to hand IV fluids, others do not. Some allow the LPN to hang blood, others do not. Some permit the LPN to start an IV, others do not. Each state can set up their own regulations and nursing practice.

The state BONs also permit for better coverage of problems occuring in the profession............

tferdaise · May 9, 2005

Suzanne I think you lost my point, I was wondering why there is a "state" board when we nurses take a National test. IF we had a national board, that had the SAME scope of pratice for LPN's and RN in each state, it would allow more flexability and the nursing shortage wouldn't be so bad. Since some hospitals don't use LPN because they are so restrictive in thier practice.

Tony

Scope of practice can vary in different states, as to what that state permits the EMT-P to perform. Same thing in nursing. Different states have the option as to what they want the nurse to be able to do under thier jurisdiction.
LPNs do not have the same scope of practice in all states. Some permit the LPN to hand IV fluids, others do not. Some allow the LPN to hang blood, others do not. Some permit the LPN to start an IV, others do not. Each state can set up their own regulations and nursing practice.
The state BONs also permit for better coverage of problems occuring in the profession............

elkpark · May 9, 2005

Each state controls the practice of nursing within its own borders. The national test for licensure is a relatively recent (relatively in the sense that states have been licensing nurses for >100 years) development that is a courtesy and convenience for nurses -- before that, each time you wanted to change states, at any point in your career, you had to take the licensure exam developed by the new state you wanted to move to ...

Even with the Compact, my understanding is that the signatory states have agreed to recognize each other's licenses to practice nursing, but you are still bound by the Nurse Practice Act (i.e., scope of practice) for the state in which you are practicing. That is, if you are licensed in your home state and have a job in the state next door, you are obligated to abide by the scope of practice of the state next door when you're at work there, not the scope of practice for your home state which actually licensed you. The Compact states have agreed, as a courtesy and convenience for nurses, to recognize each other's licenses, but they have not given up any control over the practice of nursing within their own borders.

Besides :) -- how much time do people spend on this board griping about the bad experiences they've had with (what they perceive as) difficult, unpleasant, power-mad people on their state BON? Can you imagine what it would be like to have one small group of people exercise complete control over the practice of nursing in the entire US??? (How hard would it be to get somebody at the BON on the telephone then?) Is that really what anyone wants? :chuckle

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · May 9, 2005

Besides -- how much time do people spend on this board griping about the bad experiences they've had with (what they perceive as) difficult, unpleasant, power-mad people on their state BON? Can you imagine what it would be like to have one small group of people exercise complete control over the practice of nursing in the entire US??? (How hard would it be to get somebody at the BON on the telephone then?) Is that really what anyone wants?

I had the EXACT same thought. A national board would be a nightmare! It would be much simpler if the rest of the states out there would just get with the program and join the compact (instead of trying to hang onto their licensure fees - greedy little slugs!) The way the compact is set up, each state still gets to regulate nursing practice within its own borders. It is part of state's rights (for anyone who has ever studied government). A national board would take away each state's right to determine nursing practice within its own borders. Sounds a little unconstitutional to me. I'd say many state governments would agree.