Regulations for Nursing Practice

State boards of nursing are responsible for protecting and promoting public health by ensuring that nurses provide safe and competent care. Professional nursing associations, on the other hand, are private organizations where members pay dues to enjoy membership benefits. In the state of Florida, the Nursing Board has twelve members, including registered nurses, advanced-practice nurses, licensed practical nurses, and two consumers. Members are appointed by the governor.

Federal regulations exist for the administration and delivery of healthcare. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, signed into law in 2009, aims to enhance the incorporation and meaningful use of health information technology. HITECH mandates audits of healthcare providers to determine their compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) privacy rules. The Act limits cancellations and resets of healthcare records, protects patients from unauthorized access and use of their information, and provides financial incentives to offset the initial expenses of switching to electronic health records (EHRs). HITECH also addresses healthcare provider and physician compensation to ensure that it is favorable. The HIPAA regulation allows American employees to move with their health insurance policies to different jobs and to adjust for family changes like adoptions, marriages, and births. It also applies to select groups of healthcare insurance plans to replace misplaced coverage. In 2019, the Health Department increased the monetary penalties for HIPAA violations that occurred on or before February 18th, 2019, from approximately $100 to $25,000 per violation to a maximum of $1.5 million. However, HITECH prohibits financial penalties for unwilling violations corrected within 30 days. These regulations aim to ensure safe, affordable, and accessible healthcare.

The Nurse Practice Act was enacted by the states in the US to create clear rules and regulations for nursing. States have boards of nursing that work with authorities to create administrative rules and regulations to make the law specific and easy for practitioners to understand. In Florida, the Act ensures that nurses meet the minimum requirements for safe practice and prohibits nurses with insufficient competency from providing care that could be dangerous to the public. Patients receive high-quality care from competent and legally licensed nurses as supported by the Nurse Practice Act. Additionally, there is an increased length of consultation between nurses and patients, as the nurses have adequate skills for high-quality care.

In Florida, applicants for nursing licensure need to have an active Florida or multistate Registered Nurse (RN) license from a different jurisdiction. Nursing practitioners also need to complete a master’s or post-master’s program. However, the regulation excludes individuals who graduated in the past. The licensing agency mandates a two-hour course in medical error prevention for each nurse. State regulations require nurses to perform duties according to collaboration protocols and agreements with doctors, which are submitted after employment begins and on a set timeline.

Regulation of nursing is essential to ensure that patients receive quality and safe care. In Florida, the board of nursing is responsible for licensing nurses, while professional nursing associations promote nurses’ rights. The state law regulates the scope of practice for registered nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). These regulations facilitate improved healthcare quality, lower costs, and promote accessible healthcare.

References:

Bushy, A. (2019). Laws and Rules Governing Nursing Practice in Florida. Retrieved From: https://www.nursece.com/pdfs/2033_V2_Florida_Laws_and_Rules.pdf
Hamilton, P. M., Briggs, K. M., & Roe, M. M. (2018). Florida Occupational Therapy Laws and Rules. Retfieved From: https://wildirismedicaleducation.com/courses/592/Florida-OT-Laws-Rules-CE-Wild-Iris-Medical-Education.pdf
Mennemeyer, S. T., Menachemi, N., Rahurkar, S., & Ford, E. W. (2016). Impact of the HITECH act on physicians’ adoption of electronic health records. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 23(2), 375-379.Retrieved From: https://academic.oup.com/jamia/article/23/2/375/2572425
Hamilton, P. M., Briggs, K. M., & Roe, M. M. (2018). Florida Occupational Therapy Laws and Rules. Retrieved from: https://wildirismedicaleducation.com/courses/592/Florida-OT-Laws-Rules-CE-Wild-Iris-Medical-Education.pdf