Nurse Practice Act (NPA) is a statutory law enacted by a state's government which provides protection for the welfare and health of the public. This is done through overseeing and ensuring safe regulation and appropriate nursing practice. In New York, this type of practice allows safe, convenient nursing practice which is based on the laws written in the NPA. This is the same according to the Maryland Nurse Practice Act, which allows nursing care to be competent to the public. The NPA for New York and Maryland both have similarities and differences in the regulation of their Nurse Practice Acts.
The New York State Nurses Association (2007), states that RNs should function independently when giving different aspects of medical care. The nurses additionally have the responsibility of practicing within the scope of abilities defined Nurse Practice Act. These practices include executing medical regimens as prescribed by a licensed physician, providing supportive care, health counseling, health teaching and treating actual or potential health issues.
Similarly, The Maryland Nurse Practice Act states that the RN graduate shows accountability for ensuring the maintenance of standard professional practices to include holistic care across the setting, ethical behaviors, and long-life learning in accordance with the Maryland Nurse Practice Act (Maryland Board of Nursing, 2017). While The New York State Nurse Practice Act limits nurse to take care of their patients with the guidance of a licensed physician, in Maryland, staff that finishes medication administration course can administer medication.
The NPAs have strong legal mandates for nurses’ involvement in health education (Bastable, 2014). Both states define the function of nurses, but they omit the nurse’s responsibility of patient teaching or the legal limitations on the nurse-patient discussion about treatment. However, the board of nursing rules and regulation provides guidance for both New York and Maryland.
References
Bastable, S. B. (2014). Nurse as educator: Principles of teaching and learning for nursing practice. Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
Maryland Board of Nursing. (2017). Nurse Practice Act: Maryland Nurse Practice Act. Maryland.gov. Retrieved from http://mbon.maryland.gov/Pages/nurse-practice-act.aspx
NYSNA.org. Scope of Practice. New York State Nurses Association. Retrieved on Jan 8th, 2017, from: http://www.nysna.org/nursing-practice/practice-resources/scope-practice#.WHL00pIariQ
