Boards Of Nursing Vs. Professional Nurse Associations

Boards of Nursing vs. Professional Nurse Associations

Develop a 8- to 9-slide PowerPoint presentation that addresses the following: Describe the differences between a board of nursing and a professional nurse association. Describe the members of the board for your specific region/area. Who is on the board? How does one become a member of the board? Speaker notes are included on every slide and are used to explain and elaborate the significant points on each slide. Additionally, analyze at least one state regulation related to the general nurse scope of practice and its impact on nurses and healthcare delivery, as well as a regulation specific to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). Include how these regulations influence the nurse's role, healthcare delivery, cost, and access, and whether there have been recent changes within the past five years. Ensure speaker notes thoroughly explain each point, and the presentation is properly formatted according to APA standards.

Paper For Above instruction

In the complex landscape of nursing regulation and professional identity, understanding the distinctions between a board of nursing and professional nurse associations is fundamental. These entities play pivotal roles in shaping the profession, safeguarding public health, and advancing nursing practice. This paper explores their differences, the composition of regional nursing boards, and how state regulations influence nursing roles, healthcare delivery, and accessibility, with an emphasis on recent regulatory changes affecting both general nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs).

Differences Between a Board of Nursing and a Professional Nurse Association

The board of nursing (BON) is a state governmental agency responsible for regulatory oversight of nursing practice, licensure, discipline, and the enforcement of nursing laws. Its primary mission is public protection, ensuring that nurses meet minimum competency standards before practicing. BONs have legal authority to license nurses, investigate misconduct, and establish rules governing practice standards. They act as regulators, often composed of nurse and non-nurse members appointed by state authorities.

In contrast, professional nurse associations are voluntary organizations designed to promote the interests of nurses, advocate for the profession, provide continuing education, establish professional standards, and lobby for healthcare policies. Membership depends on the nurse’s choice, and these associations often offer networking, professional development, and leadership opportunities. Unlike BONs, they do not have regulatory authority but serve as platforms for professional growth and advocacy.

In summary, BONs focus on regulation, licensure, and public safety, while nurse associations emphasize professional development, policy advocacy, and community building.

Members of the Board for a Specific Region

The composition of a regional or state board of nursing typically includes registered nurses, licensed practical/vocational nurses, consumer representatives, and occasionally, other health professionals or public members. For instance, in California, the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) comprises 13 members, including registered nurses with diverse clinical and geographic backgrounds, licensed vocational nurses, and public members to ensure representation of consumer interests. The selection process involves appointments by the state's governor or health department, with emphasis on expertise and public accountability.

How to Become a Member of the Board

To serve on a state BON, candidates usually must meet specific criteria: hold an active and unencumbered nursing license, possess substantial clinical experience, demonstrate integrity, and be engaged in nursing practice or health policy. Most positions require nomination or application processes, and appointments are often made by state governors or agencies, with a focus on ensuring diverse representation and expertise. Serving on a BON is both a professional honor and a public service responsibility, often involving a multi-year appointment with oversight and responsibilities that influence nursing standards within the state.

Impact of State Regulation on General Nurse Scope of Practice

State regulations profoundly influence the scope of practice for registered nurses (RNs). For example, California's Nurse Practice Act delineates specific duties, delegation rules, and limits, regulating what RNs can perform independently or under supervision. Such regulations directly impact nurses' roles by defining responsibilities, permissible procedures, and authority levels. They also affect healthcare delivery by establishing standards for safe practice, which can influence patient outcomes, workflow efficiency, and interprofessional collaboration.

The regulation impacts healthcare cost and access by enabling RNs to perform certain procedures independently, potentially reducing the need for physician oversight, lowering costs, and increasing access, especially in underserved regions. Moreover, culturally diverse patient populations benefit when nurses are empowered within their legal scope to provide education and culturally sensitive care. Recent updates—such as expanded responsibilities for RNs during the COVID-19 pandemic—demonstrate the dynamic nature of scope of practice regulations, with many states broadening nurse roles to address healthcare workforce shortages.

Impact of State Regulation on APRNs

APRNs, including nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives, are governed by specific regulations that influence their practice scope. For example, in New York, recent legislation has expanded the authority of APRNs to practice independently without physician collaboration, reflecting a shift toward full practice authority (New York State Education Department, 2022). Such regulations significantly impact their role, allowing for autonomous decision-making, prescribing rights, and expanded clinical duties.

These regulatory changes influence healthcare delivery by increasing timely access to primary and specialty care, especially in rural and underserved areas. They also contribute to cost reductions by decreasing reliance on physician-led care and allowing APRNs to deliver services independently. The recent regulatory expansion has aimed to enhance healthcare accessibility and reduce systemic costs, aligning with national efforts to address healthcare workforce shortages (Buerhaus et al., 2020).

In the past five years, multiple states have implemented or proposed legislation to expand APRN practice authority, reflecting a nationwide trend toward full practice authority. These changes are often driven by evidence highlighting the safety and effectiveness of APRNs in delivering quality care (Levine et al., 2021). Overall, regulatory adjustments are critical in shaping the evolving roles of APRNs within the healthcare system.

Conclusion

Understanding the distinctions between boards of nursing and professional nurse associations is vital for appreciating how nurses are regulated, supported, and represented. State regulations significantly influence the scope of practice for general nurses and APRNs, shaping their roles, healthcare delivery, costs, and access to care. Recent legislative changes demonstrate a movement toward expanding nurse practice authority, which has the potential to improve healthcare outcomes, especially in underserved communities. As the nursing profession continues to evolve, ongoing regulatory updates will remain central to fostering a competent, flexible, and accessible nursing workforce.

References

• Buerhaus, P. I., DesRoches, C. M., Auerbach, D. I., & Staiger, D. O. (2020). "The Future of the Nursing Workforce." NAM Perspectives. The National Academy of Medicine.
• Levine, R. B., et al. (2021). "State Legislative and Regulatory Trends in APRN Practice." Journal of Nursing Regulation, 12(2), 23-30.
• New York State Education Department. (2022). "Expanded Scope of Practice for Nurse Practitioners." Retrieved from https://www.nysed.gov/
• American Nurses Association. (2019). "Scope and Standards of Practice." ANA.
• California Board of Registered Nursing. (2021). "Nurse Practice Act." California Department of Consumer Affairs.
• Johnson, K., et al. (2020). "Regulation and Practice Authority of Nurse Practitioners." Nursing Outlook, 68(6), 715-723.
• Hoffart, N., et al. (2018). "Nurses' Roles in Healthcare Regulation." Journal of Nursing Regulation, 9(3), 4-11.
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2022). "Nurse Practice Acts and Regulations." NCSBN.
• American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2020). "State Practice Environment." AANP.
• World Health Organization. (2020). "Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health." WHO Publications.