CE class focuses on nurse practice act

The Alabama State Nurses Association is developing a continuing education program geared at helping nurses become better acquainted with the state's Nurse Practice Act and administrative regulations affecting nurses.

ASNA long has been the leader in providing continuing education opportunities for Alabama's registered and licensed practice nurses. The latest addition, on legal and ethical aspects of nursing, fits well with that portfolio. The course will be offered over the Internet.

"This is a continuing education class about the DOs and DON'Ts of nursing," said Charlene Roberson, MED, RN, BC, who heads ASNA's continuing education efforts. "It is a class geared specifically to Alabama law, specifically for Alabama nurses."

The course will include sections on the Alabama Nurse Practice Act, the Alabama Board of Nursing Administrative Code, state appellate court decisions on medical standards of practice, and common pitfalls for nurses.

"This course is designed to help nurses learn, understand and follow state nursing regulations," said Roberson. "No where, to our knowledge, is there currently such a compact, straight-forward description of Alabama nursing laws."

State regulations allow nurses to gain one-half their two-year, twenty-four hour requirement online. The course soon will be available at the ASNA Web site, www.alabamanurses.com.

The Alabama Nurse Practice Act is the legislation which establishes the broad framework and policy under which nurses are licensed and function in clinical and other settings. The measure establishes procedures for the Alabama Board of Nursing. It is the basic nursing law.

Separate legislation gives the Board of Nursing rule-making authority to administer that act. Those rules are encompassed by the Administrative Code.

The Legislature also approves other laws, such as medical liability legislationy which impact the way medical professionals go about doing their jobs. And the court interprets the various laws and regulations.

The CE course capsules important portions of those rules and statutes, emphasising practical applications.

Copyright Alabama State Nurses' Association Mar-May 2004
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