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I'm having problems at work. I don't understand nurses practice act does anyone know a book that breaks it down so that I can understand and I'm having trouble on not knowing what to do. Do you have a recommendation for books or apps?

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Each state has its own Nurse Practice Act, so this will be unique to where you live. It should be accessible on your Board of Nursing's website. As a starting place, read about your state's standards of practice and scope of practice. Outside of your practice act, familiarize yourself with nursing process, SBAR communication,  professional boundaries (NCSBN), nursing ethics (ANA), your unit's clinical policies and procedures, and regulatory requirements (Joint Commission, CMS).

Is your struggle with "not knowing what to do" regarding clinical skills? Speak with your unit's educator. Observe experienced nurses performing the skills. Refer to your organization's P&P and clinical resources that offer guidance.  Familiarize yourself with the equipment in your unit. Most importantly, speak up when you don't know how to do something and feel you'd be unsafe without supervision.  

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) has excellent information regarding Nurse Practice Acts.

Nurse Practice Act Toolkit

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All states and territories legislated a nurse practice act (NPA) which establishes a board of nursing (BON) with the authority to develop administrative rules or regulations to clarify or make the law more specific. Rules and regulations must be consistent with the NPA and cannot go beyond it. These rules and regulations undergo a process of public review before enactment. Once enacted, rules and regulations have the full force and effect of law. Use this toolkit to:

  • Learn about the law and regulations that guide and govern nursing practice
  • Locate your state nurse practice act and regulations
  • Access nurse practice act educational resources

Find Your Nurse Practice Act | NCSBN

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The state’s duty to protect those who receive nursing care is the basis for a nursing license. Safe, competent nursing practice is grounded in the law as written in the state nurse practice act (NPA) and the state rules/regulations. Together the NPA and rules/regulations guide and govern nursing practice.

When using this tool, the links will direct you to the state board of nursing website where you can locate the NPA via the state statute or code.  The rules/regulations are found in the sections or chapters of the state administrative code.

CSBN Learning Extension NPA Courses

NCSBN partnered with each participating state board of nursing to develop the  online nurse practice acts course program. The following states are currently participating.

  • Arkansas
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Iowa
  • Massachusetts
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • Rhode Island
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia-PN
  • West Virginia-RN
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
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