Boards of Nursing (BONs) exist in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands. Similar entities may also exist for different regions. The mission of BONs is the protection of the public through the regulation of nursing practice. BONs put into practice state/region regulations for nurses that, among other things, lay out the requirements for licensure and define the scope of nursing practice in that state/region.

It can be a valuable exercise to compare regulations among various state/regional boards of nursing. Doing so can help share insights that could be useful should there be future changes in a state/region. In addition, nurses may find the need to be licensed in multiple states or regions.

To Prepare:

• Review the Resources and reflect on the mission of state/regional boards of nursing as the protection of the public through the regulation of nursing practice.
• Consider how key regulations may impact nursing practice.
• Review key regulations for nursing practice of your state’s/region’s board of nursing and those of at least one other state/region and select at least two APRN regulations to focus on for this Discussion.

DAY 3 OF WEEK 5:

Post a comparison of at least two APRN board of nursing regulations in your state/region with those of at least one other state/region. Describe how they may differ. Be specific and provide examples. Then, explain how the regulations you selected may apply to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who have legal authority to practice within the full scope of their education and experience. Provide at least one example of how APRNs may adhere to the two regulations you selected.

DAY 6 OF WEEK 5:

Respond to at least two of your colleagues* on two different days and explain how the regulatory environment and the regulations selected by your colleague differ from your state/region. Be specific and provide examples.

SOLUTION:

Laws overseeing advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) differ among states, aiming to protect public health and safety by overseeing healthcare professionals’ work. The Nurse Practice Act grants authority to state nursing boards to establish and enforce standards for safe nursing practice, especially for nurses qualified for advanced practice roles. These boards set licensure requirements under the Act, establish license renewal protocols, and address disciplinary actions as needed (Milstead & Short, 2019).

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) play a crucial role in the United States healthcare system. These highly trained professionals have completed advanced education at the master’s or post-master’s level and specialize in specific roles and patient populations. APRNs are equipped with specialized training to assess, diagnose, and treat various medical conditions, as well as to administer tests and prescribe medications (National Council of State Boards of Nursing [NCSBN], 2022). A comparison of California and Arizona highlights differences and similarities in relation to full practice authority and licensing regulations.

Arizona’s nursing board allows Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) full practice authority (FPA), enabling Nurse Practitioners (NPs) to practice independently without physician supervision or collaboration. NPs in Arizona are permitted to issue prescriptions autonomously, though they must seek approval from the Arizona Board of Nursing before prescribing medications. The state mandates that NPs can only prescribe medications after establishing a professional relationship with the patient, except in emergencies. Moreover, Arizona NPs are empowered to dispense medication samples as authorized by the Arizona Board of Nursing (Arizona Board of Nursing [AZBON], 2022