Comparing APRN Board of Nursing Regulations in DC and Maryland

This report provides a comparative analysis of Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) board of nursing regulations in the District of Columbia (DC) and Maryland. It highlights the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Nursing in each state, focusing on the scope of practice, authorization, and certification requirements for APRNs. The comparison reveals differences in how each state regulates APRN practice, including the specific actions APRNs are authorized to perform. The report also examines how APRNs adhere to these regulations, referencing resources like the Nurse Practice Act and scope of practice manuals. The findings emphasize the importance of understanding and adhering to the specific regulations of each state to ensure high-quality healthcare delivery and patient safety. The report concludes with references to relevant documents such as the DC Nurse Practice Act and Maryland Board of Nursing resources.

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Comparison of two APRN Board of nursing regulations:
Two Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) regulation in the State of
Washington DC includes the District of Columbia Nursing Asociation and Board of Nursing.
The Board of Nursing is responsible regulating the practice of APRNs and it lays down various
ways in which those nurses are likely to work. The scope of practice for APRNs as outlined the
Board of Nursing mostly involves give guidelines on general authorization and boundaries in
terms of authorization of APRNs. All authorized actions of APRNs have been mentioned by this
Board of Nursing regulation. Their authorized actions involves initiating and altering drug
therapies, initiating therapies, making referrals and performing additional functions within his or
her specialty (Board of Nursing, 2020). According to the DC regulations, the certificate
requirement for APRNs involves going through a national certification process and it also
mandates that candidates clear an examination that meets professional criteria. In contrast to the
Board of Nursing Regulation, another board of regulation in DC involves the District of
Columbia Nursing Association. Compared to the Board of Nursing, this regulation regulates
actions of APRNs through several Acts (Scope of practice policy, 2020). Thus, the difference in
both the Board is that the first is defining scope of practice and authorization of APRNs, whereas
the second looks only at the full scope of their education and experience.
In case of the state of Maryland, the Maryland Board of Nursing is responsible for
regulating the practice of APRNs. The aim of the Maryland Board of Nursing regulation is
protect health of public and assure that high quality care is provided in the District of Columbia.
According to this Board, all candidates need to complete accredited post-basic nursing education
program to receive APRN authority (Maryland Board of Nursing, 2020).

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Application of the regulation to APRNs:
The regulations outlines by the Board of Nursing can help APRNs to understand their
scope of practice and boundaries during practice. The practice of APRNs involves the engaging
in advanced level nursing actions by a registered nurse with relevant knowledge and skills and
particularly those who have been certified to engage in such tasks by the Board of Nursing. The
main role of APRNs includes advanced assessment, medical diagnosis, prescribing,
administering therapeutic measures and treating changes in health status. In addition, the
regulation guides regarding approval process and examinations in the area of certifications. In
case of the Maryland Board of Nursing regulations, it allows nurse to get licensure, certification
and education for public protection (Maryland Board of Nursing, 2020).
Example of how APRNs adhere to the regulations:
APRNs working in two states can adhere to the two regulations by going through the
scope of practice manual. The Nurse Practice Act also defines their practice and professional
boundaries. Specific resources on scope of practice are available in the websites. Many
regulating bodies are also assisting APRNs to understand changes to health care professional
practice.

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References:
Board of Nursing (2020). District of Columbia Nurse Practice Act. Retrieved from:
https://doh.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/doh/publication/attachments/DC%20Nurse
%20Practice%20Act.pdf
Maryland Board of Nursing (2020). Advanced Practice Registered Nursing. Retrieved from:
https://mbon.maryland.gov/Pages/advanced-practice-index.aspx
Scope of practice policy (2020). District of Columbia Scope of Practice Policy: State Profile.
Retrieved from: http://scopeofpracticepolicy.org/states/dc/