The main common feature of nurse practice acts in selected states is that they contain the general provisions for nursing professions. Also, both acts aim at ensuring that all nursing practitioners adhere to the requirements of safe practice. Another similarity is the definition and scope of practice of nurses. There are no significant differences between the states’ acts. However, some structural divergences are present. Also, the acts use different titles for assistive personnel: in the Florida act, such employees are referred to as “medical assistants” (“Florida nurse practice act,” 2008). In the New York act, they are called “support staff” (“New York nurse practice act,” 2010).

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Florida and New York State Nurse Practice Act Standards and Scope

In the Florida state act, the scope of nursing practice for RNs is defined as the practice of professional nursing that includes:

• the observation, evaluation, planning, intervention, nursing diagnosis, health education, and wellness promotion;

• the administration of treatments and medications prescribed by licensed specialists;

• the supervision and instructing of other nurses (“Florida nurse practice act,” 2008).

In the New York state act, RNs’ scope of practice involves:

• the diagnosis, corrective measures, and therapeutic help;

• collaboration with licensed physicians;

• drug prescription;

• reviewing patient records promptly (“New York nurse practice act,” 2010).

LPNs’ scope of practice is defined in the acts of both states under comparison as any person who has completed a program in practical nursing and has received a license (“New York nurse practice act,” 2010; “Florida nurse practice act,” 2008).

The duties and responsibilities of unlicensed assistive personnel are similar on both acts, and they include:

• carrying out clinical duties (taking vital signs, preparing patients for procedures, making injections);

• giving first aid;

• preparing medical equipment;

• carrying out basic lab procedures (“New York nurse practice act,” 2010; “Florida nurse practice act,” 2008).