Jurisprudence
the science or philosophy of law
Sources of Law
-Constitutional Law: Federal, State
-Statutory Law: Federal, State
-Common
... [Show More] Law
-Administrative Law
00:26
01:25
Criminal Law
Federal or state government attempting to deprive an individual of life or liberty for something the law considers an offence against society in general
Civil Law
Seeks to resolve disputes between private parties, which often result in payment of money
Different Burden of Proof
Beyond a reasonable doubt; preponderance of the evidence
Types of Torts
-Negligence
-Intentional: Assault Battery False Imprisonment
-Quasi-Intentional: Defamation, Liable, Slander
Malpractice
Negligence committed by a person in his or her professional capacity is malpractice. Also known as professional negligence.
Medical and nursing malpractice occur when a doctor or nurse fails to do that which a reasonable, prudent doctor or nurse would do under the same or similar circumstances, or does that which a reasonable or prudent doctor or nurse would not do under the same or similar circumstances.
Elements of a Nursing Malpractice Lawsuit
Duty - the existence of a duty, owed by the nurse to a patient, to conform to a recognized standard of care
Breach - a failure to conform to the required standard of care
Harm - an actual injury
Cause - there must be proof that the injury was caused by the nurse's act or omission
Intentional Tort: Assault
Example of this tort: A nurse threatens to place an NG tube in a client who is refusing to eat
Intentionally placing another in apprehension or fear that they will suffer harmful or offensive contact.
Intentional Tort: Battery
Intentional contact that is harmful or offensive, or creating the apprehension that such contact is imminent.
-false imprisonment accompanied by forceful restraint or threat of restraint is BATTERY.
IE: Restraining a person to give an injection against their consent or order
Intentional Tort: False Imprisonment
"unjustifiable detention of a person without legal warrant to confine the person" (client has the right to leave AMA)
-false imprisonment accompanied by forceful restraint or threat of restraint is BATTERY.
Quasi-Intentional Tort: Defamation
A communication that tends to hold the plaintiff up to hatred, contempt or ridicule, or to cause him to be shunned or avoided.
Tarnishing the reputation of someone.
00:01
01:25
Quasi-Intentional Tort: Defamation Types
Types:
Libel - printed or broadcast
Slander - spoken
Nurse Practice Act (NPA)
defines the scope and limitations of professional nursing practice; vary from state to state.
The practice of nursing is a right granted by a state to protect those who need nursing care. The guidelines of the NPA and its rules provide safe parameters within which to work, as well as protect patients from unprofessional and unsafe nursing practice. The act is a dynamic document that evolves and is updated or amended as changes in scope of practice occur.All states and territories have enacted a NPAGenerally, NPAs include:Authority, power and composition of a board of nursingEducation program standardsStandards and scope of nursing practiceTypes of titles and licensesRequirements for licensureGrounds for disciplinary action, other violations and possible remedies
Rules & Regulations
The NPA itself is insufficient to provide the necessary guidance for the nursing profession, therefore, each NPA establishes a board of nursing (BON) that has the authority to develop administrative rules or regulations to clarify or make the law more specific. Rules and regulations must be consistent with the NPA and cannot go beyond it. These rules and regulations undergo a process of public review before enactment. Once enacted, rules and regulations have the full force and effect of law.
IT IS A NURSE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW NPA/RULES AND REGULATIONS
As a nurse in Texas, you have a responsibility to know and follow the Nursing Practice Act and all applicable BON Rules and Regulations relating to your nursing practice. All current BON Rules and Regulations and the Nursing Practice Act can be downloaded from the BON's web site at www.bon.texas.gov
Standards of Nursing Practice
Standards Applicable to All Nurses. All vocational nurses, registered nurses and registered nurses with advanced practice authorization shall:
(A) Know and conform to the Texas Nursing Practice Act and the board's rules and regulations as well as all federal, state, or local laws, rules or regulations affecting the nurse's current area of nursing practice.
The standards of practice establish a minimum acceptable level of nursing practice in any setting for each level of nursing license or advanced practice authorization. Failure to meet these standards may result in action against the nurse's license even if no actual patient injury resulted.
Laws & Regulations Regarding Nursing
- Texas Nurse Practice Act (NPA)
- Texas Board of Nursing (BON) Rules & Regulations
- BON Position Statements
Don't have the force of law, but the Board strongly encourages nurses to choose those position statements applicable to their practice setting and incorporate them into their daily practice to assure patient safety
The Texas Board of Nursing (BON)
Established by passage of the NPA
BON empowered by NPA with the responsibility and legal authority for ensuring competent practitioners of nursing.
Grants authority to the BON to make the rules and regulations to carry out the act.
The Board:
Protects the public from unsafe nursing practice, provides approval for more than 200 nursing education programs, issues licenses to more than 27,000 nurses per year by examination to new graduates and by endorsement to licensees from other states seeking a Texas license, as well as providing nursing practice and education guidance to more than 350,000 currently licensed nurses practicing in the State of Texas.
BON Responsibilities & Services
Licensing qualified practitioners
Enforcement - investigating violations of the NPA and initiating appropriate legal action when necessary
Establishing minimum standards for educational programs in nursing
BON Mission Fulfilled Through
The regulation of the practice of nursing
The approval of nursing education programs.
Licensure Required
A person may not practice or offer to practice professional nursing or vocational nursing in this state unless the person is licensed [NPA § 301.251]
This section of the NPA establishes the NPA as a practice control act for RNs and LVNs
Use of Titles
Must hold a license to use the title:Registered Nurse or RN Professional Nurse Licensed Vocational Nurse or LVN Any designation that implies that the person is a licensed registered or vocational nurse
Clearly Legible Insignia
When interacting with the public in a nursing role, RNs and LVNs must wear an insignia identifying them as RNs or LVNs [NPA § 301.351]
APRNs practicing in an advance practice role must identify themselves with their APRN title BON Rule 217.10(b) requires the nurse's first or last name and licensure level
Although the board does not require the inclusion of any other designations, with the exception of the specific authorization of advanced practice nurses, the insignia may not contain information other than:
(A) the registered nurse or licensed vocational nurse designation;
(B) the nurse's name, certifications, academic degrees, or practice position;
(C) the name of the employing facility or agency, or other employer; or
(D) a picture of the nurse.
No More Paper Licenses
The BON discontinued issuing wallet-sized paper licenses for nurses renewing their licenses beginning September 1, 2008Paper license certificates are issued for:
Graduate nurses who pass the NCLEX® exam and obtain their initial license in Texas;Nurses who hold licenses in other states and are obtaining a Texas license for the first time; andNurses who receive full licensure as APRNs
Licensure Verification
Employers may verify the licensure status of all nurses seeking employment online or by phone.
Renewal of Licensure
60 days prior to license expiration, the BON will mail a postcard reminder to renew online.
This is one of the reasons it is important to keep your contact information up to date!
Continuing Competency (TAC Chapter 216)
Purpose: to ensure nurses stay abreast of current industry practices, enhance their professional competence, learn about new technology and treatment regimens, and update their clinical skills. [TAC § 216.2]
All nurses are required to demonstrate continuing competency for renewal of licensure.
Methods:
Complete 20 hours of continuing education, or
Attain, maintain, or renew an approved national nursing certification in the area of practice
Nursing Jurisprudence & Ethics - 2 hours [Rule 216.3 (g)]
Older Adult or Geriatric Care - 2 hours [Rule 216.3 (h)]
Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)
endorsed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) as a framework for regulating the interstate practice of nursing for RNs and LPNs/VNs; under this concept, nurses holding a valid license in one state could practice (both physically in person and electronically by using the telephone or telemedicine connectivity to assess and provide care) in other states, according to the rules and regulations of the states
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows RNs and LVNs to have one multistate license, with the ability to practice in both their home state and other NLC states.The APRN Compact allows an advanced practice registered nurse to hold one multistate license with a privilege to practice in other compact states.Agreement among states to mutually recognize each others' licenses Texas among first to adopt Premise:
current licensure requirements essentially the same from state to state
Does not interfere with each state defining scope of practice Only defines requirements to hold license
Nurse Licensure Compact - Definitions
Party states - states who have adopted the compact Home state license - where you permanently reside Remote state - where you practice using multistate privilege (must be a party state) [Show Less]