Analysis of APRN Regulations and State-Level Nursing Practice

This assignment examines the legal and professional issues surrounding nursing practice, specifically focusing on the regulations governing Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in California and Texas. The discussion highlights key differences in state laws, particularly concerning the prescription of Schedule II controlled substances. In California, APRNs operate under standardized procedures, whereas Texas has specific stipulations regarding the duration and location for prescribing these substances. The assignment emphasizes the importance of understanding and adhering to state board of nursing requirements for licensure and practice, including educational qualifications and adherence to patient care protocols. The analysis underscores how these regulations impact APRNs' ability to practice and their confidence in patient care, referencing relevant legal citations and resources.

Running Head: Legal and professional issues in nursing 1
Legal and professional issues in Nursing
Student’s Name
Institution
Date

Running Head: Legal and professional issues in nursing 2
Legal and Professional Issues in Nursing
In California, the nurse practitioner is eligible for a standardized procedure as defined by section
2725 protocol when furnishing or ordering drugs as long as the drugs or furnished substances
ordered are consistent with their educational preparation. In the requirements paragraphs, for
schedule II controlled substances, there are the provisions for furnishing schedule II substances
where the practitioner must address the diagnosis of the illness, injury or the condition for which
the schedule 11 controlled substance is to be furnished.
In Texas, properly authorized APRNs and PAs can issue schedule II controlled substances
prescriptions to patients admitted to a hospital for an intended length of stay of a period not less
than 24 hours or a patient receiving services in the emergency department in the hospital, upon
which prescription may be filled at the hospital’s pharmacy (Board of Registered Nursing &
LexisNexis, 2013). They may be issued for the plan of care to treat a patient who has executed a
written certification of terminal illness, elected for hospice care or qualifies for it. A PA or
APRN is not allowed to prescribe schedule II controlled substances outside the hospital. (section
157.054).
The difference in these two regulations is that in Texas, the duration and location to prescribe
schedule II substances have been stipulated.
In California, there is a need to be licensed and meet the standards of the Board. No one can hold
him/herself as a Nurse Practitioner or APRN if he/she does not meet the standards established by
the board, ("National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). (n.d.). Retrieved September
20, 2018, from https://www.ncsbn.org/index.htm Search,")

Running Head: Legal and professional issues in nursing 3
In Texas, before one claims to be a Registered Nurse or APRN, he/she must meet the
requirements for the licensure as stipulated in the Texas Board of Nursing (Bosse J , et al).
The difference between these two regulations is that there are different requirements needed by
the different Nursing boards that should be met for licensure. For example, different levels of
education.
These regulations apply to APRNs where through them they become fully accredited for their
nursing practice and this builds up confidence. Nurses become keen on patient’s cases when
doing prescriptions of drugs and substances. An APRN may adhere to these regulations by
meeting all educational proceedings to qualify for nursing and by clearly looking at patients’
cases and conditions that allow prescription of schedule II substances.

Running Head: Legal and professional issues in nursing 4
References
Board of Registered Nursing, & Lexisnexis. (2013). California Nursing Practice Act With
Regulations and Related Statutes 2014. LexisNexis.
Bosse J , et al. (n.d.). Position statement: Full practice authority for advanced practice registered
nurses is necessary to transform primary care. - PubMed - NCBI. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29216974
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018,
from https://www.ncsbn.org/index.htm Search. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.google.com/search?q=National+Council+of+State+Boards+of+Nursing+
(NCSBN).+(n.d.).+Retrieved+September+20%2C+2018%2C+from+https%3A%2F
%2Fwww.ncsbn.org
%2Findex.htm&oq=National+Council+of+State+Boards+of+Nursing+(NCSBN).+
(n.d.).+Retrieved+September+20%2C+2018%2C+from+https%3A%2F
%2Fwww.ncsbn.org
%2Findex.htm&aqs=chrome..69i57.1052j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8