Nursing Board Regulations
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Operation and Functions
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State boards of nursing must operate and function under laws provided under each state's constitution or law books. Conducting regular meetings open to the public is a regulation required of most nursing boards. Meetings might include topics such as disciplinary hearings, regular business and upcoming changes in laws or policies that affect nursing. Regulations often stipulate that the general public and media be allowed to attend these meetings, and the meetings are recorded as public record. Most boards of nursing meet monthly or quarterly at a regular time and in a public building, such as a governmental office. Submission of agenda items is allowed by both members of the board as well as the general public. Inquiries about past investigations, complaints or whether a license is currently active are processed by nursing boards per state regulations.
Licensing
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Licensing nurses is the main regulatory function of nursing boards. Activities around the licensing of nurses include issuing, reinstating and renewing nursing licenses and providing assistance to applicants seeking licensure. Nursing boards must determine whether an applicant is qualified and process applications for licensure following state laws including background checks and verification of educational transcripts. Regulations often require boards of nursing to maintain a database of all qualified nursing professionals and provide the data to the public. Responding to any inquiries regarding licensed nurses is also a regulation for nursing boards. Inquiries might come from governmental agencies, the public or media sources. Conducting investigations and following up on complaints are additional regulations imposed upon boards of nursing. Regulations also require nursing boards to oversee disciplinary hearings of licensed nurses as well as provide sanctions, including suspension, revocation or denial of a nursing license.
Professional Oversight
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State regulations of boards of nursing require that the board provide professional oversight of licensed nurses. Depending on the state, licensed nurses might include nursing aides, licensed practical nurses and registered nurses, which includes clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives and certified registered nurse anesthetists. Professional oversight of licensed nurses includes standards of practice, which varies with each state and with the type of nursing license or medical specialty of nursing, such as pediatric nursing or geriatric nursing.
Boards of nursing also regulate nurse education programs at colleges and universities and oversee continuing education requirements of licensed nurses. Regulations issued by boards of nursing also stipulate nursing titles and the scope of nursing practice in each state. According to the Mississippi Board of Nursing, nursing boards must also report any violations of the law by nurses to the state's attorney general and establish disciplinary proceedings for such nurses.
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