Comparison of Professional Nursing and State-Level Regulations

This discussion post analyzes the varying state-level regulations governing nursing practice, particularly focusing on Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). The author compares the regulations of Mississippi and Florida, highlighting differences in APRN scope of practice, including requirements for physician supervision, prescription authority for controlled substances, and independent practice rights. The post also includes responses from two colleagues, comparing regulations in North Carolina and Idaho, and North Carolina and Colorado, respectively. These responses further elaborate on the variations in state board of nursing (BON) policies regarding APRN practice authority, collaborative practice agreements, and continuing education requirements. The discussion provides a comprehensive overview of how state-specific regulations impact nursing practice and patient care.

Running head: PROFESSIONAL NURSING AND STATE-LEVEL REGULATIONS 1
Professional Nursing and State-Level Regulations
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PROFESSIONAL NURSING AND STATE-LEVEL REGULATIONS 2
Professional Nursing and State-Level Regulations
Response post for colleague one:
A state BON, which is state-specific, ensures licensing and regulation of nurses by
setting the criteria for safe nursing healthcare provision, deciding nurses' scope of practice
(Graduatingnursingedu.org, 2012).
In North Carolina (NC), nursing practitioners (NPs) must work under the supervision of
a physician (Erin, 2014a). Physicians stay away from NPs during clinical practice, but the
supervisors can always wait around for consultations. However, Idaho’s NPs are not required
by law to work under a physician's supervision, and a collaborative practice agreement is thus
not also required (Erin, 2014b). Idaho's NPs are only required to undergo a peer review
exercise by the Idaho BON to ensure that NPs do not practice in isolation but join their
colleagues during practice (Erin, 2014b).
NC BON allows NPs to prescribe drugs including controlled substances II-V but under
supervision of a doctor. However, NC BON prohibits NPs to prescribe controlled substances
for their families, personal use, or supervisors. In contrast, Idaho's NPs independently
prescribe medicines besides controlled substances. Unlike NC NPs, Idaho's BON permits
NPs’ to prescribe for family members and personal usage, but cannot dispense controlled
substances, which demand adequate assessment and evaluation before prescription (Erin,
2014b).
References (For response one)
Erin. (2014b). Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice: Idaho. MidlevelU. Retrieved March 25,
2020, from https://midlevelu.com/blog/nurse-practitioner-scope-practice-idaho

PROFESSIONAL NURSING AND STATE-LEVEL REGULATIONS 3
Erin. (2014a). Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice: North Carolina. MidlevelU.
Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://midlevelu.com/blog/nurse-practitioner-
scope-practice-north-carolina
Graduatenursingedu.org. (2012). State Board of Nursing Defined and Explained. How to
Become a Nurse Practitioner | What is a Nurse Practitioner? Retrieved March 25,
2020, from https://www.graduatenursingedu.org/state-board-of-nursing/
Response post for colleague two:
Each state and US territory are allocated a BON, which is a jurisdictional regulatory
body that regulates nursing practice (Registerednursing.org, 2018).
North Carolina (NC) board of nursing (BON) denies NPs the liberty to practice and
prescribe medicines. For example, the NC BON dictates that APRNs must only practice
while under a doctor's supervision. A collaborative practice agreement between APRNs and
physicians must have clear guidelines concerning APRNs' interaction with clients, how
APRNs will work in the absence of their supervisor, and prescription protocols that dictate
whether and what controlled substances the APRNs can provide, and under what conditions.
The difference between the NC's BON and the Colorado BON is that Colorado's BON gives
NPs full practice authorization, and offers NPs the opportunity to fully practice, for instance,
after finishing 1,000 hours of supervised practice (Maryville University, n.d.).
In NC, the BON renews RN and LPN licenses after two years, but on condition that
these caregivers finish particular learning activities such as continuing education for 30
contact hours, and 15 contact hours to develop besides conducting a nursing education
presentation. On the other hand, in Colorado, although the license renewal period is similar to
that of NC NPs, there are no compulsory continuing education provisions for LPN, RN, or
APN license renewal.

PROFESSIONAL NURSING AND STATE-LEVEL REGULATIONS 4
References (For response two)
Maryville University. (n.d.). States with Full NP Practice Authority NP Programs.
Maryville Online. Retrieved March 25, 2020, from
https://online.maryville.edu/nursing-degrees/np/states-granting-np-full-practice-
authority/
Registerednursing.org. (2018). What Does My State Board of Nursing Do? ||
RegisteredNursing.org. RN Programs - Registered Nurse ||
RegisteredNursing.org. Retrieved March 25, 2020, from
https://www.registerednursing.org/answers/what-does-state-board-nursing-do/