Boards of Nursing (BONs) exist in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands. Similar entities may also exist for different regions. The mission of BONs is to protect the public through the regulation of nursing practice. BONs put into practice state/region regulations for nurses that, among other things, lay out the requirements for licensure and define the scope of nursing practice in that state/region. Professional Nursing and State-Level Regulationss Professional Nursing and State-Level Regulations It can be a valuable exercise to compare regulations among various state/regional boards of nursing. Doing so can help share insights that could be useful should there be future changes in a state/region. In addition, nurses may find the need to be licensed in multiple states or regions. To Prepare: Review the Resources and reflect on the mission of state/regional boards of nursing as the protection of the public
Professional Nursing and State-Level Regulations
In Minnesota, the regulations governing Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are set by the Minnesota Board of Nursing (MBON). This paper will compare Minnesota’s APRN Board of Nursing regulations with California’s. To follow this, in Minnesota, APRNs have limited prescriptive authority and can prescribe medications independently within their scope of practice. However, there are restrictions on controlled substances, and APRNs must have a written collaborative agreement with a physician to prescribe these medications (MBON, 2021). However, In California, APRNs have full prescriptive authority and can prescribe non-controlled and controlled substances without a collaborative agreement.
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For example, a nurse practitioner in Minnesota can independently prescribe non-controlled medications such as antibiotics and antidepressants, but for controlled substances like opioids, they need a collaborative agreement with a physician (MBON, 2021). In California, a nurse practitioner can prescribe all necessary medications, including controlled substances, without physician involvement.
Consistently, in Minnesota, APRNs have a relatively broad scope of practice. They can assess, diagnose, and treat patients, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and initiate and manage treatment plans. However, they must practice under a written collaborative management agreement with a physician (MBON, 2021). However, in California, APRNs have full practice authority, meaning they can practice independently without needing a collaborative agreement with a physician.
For example, an APRN in Minnesota, such as a nurse midwife, can provide prenatal care, attend deliveries, and manage postpartum care. However, they need a collaborative agreement with a physician to practice legally (MBON, 2021). On the other hand, in California, a nurse midwife can independently provide all these services without physician involvement.
The regulations selected for comparison highlight the differences in prescriptive authority and scope of practice between Minnesota and California. While Minnesota requires APRNs to have collaborative agreements with physicians for certain aspects of their practice, California grants full practice authority to APRNs, allowing them to practice independently (Milstead & Short, 2019).
In adhering to these regulations, APRNs in Minnesota must ensure they have a written collaborative agreement with a physician when prescribing controlled substances, and they should practice within the defined scope outlined in their specific APRN role. This includes providing collaboration documentation, maintaining open communication with the collaborating physician, and seeking consultation when needed (Milstead & Short, 2019). By following these regulations, APRNs can ensure they are practicing within the legal boundaries set by the state and delivering safe and effective care to their patients.
References
Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning
Minnesota Board of Nursing. (2021). Advanced practice registered nurse. Retrieved from https://mn.gov/boards/nursing/licensure/applications/aprn.jsp