The Louisiana Nurse Practice Act (NPA) is a collection of state laws and administrative rules that regulate nursing practice in Louisiana. These guidelines reflect evolving standards of nursing meant to improve patient outcomes. Still, they can make it challenging for administrators to regulate nursing care quality. Louisiana's NPA serves as a touchpoint for bedside nurses and facility leaders alike by delineating the practices that are legal and safe.
The rules and regulations stemming from the Nurse Practice Act hold clinicians accountable for the care they provide while practicing in Louisiana, and also outline requirements for state nursing licensure. We'll review key elements of the Louisiana NPA that can affect nursing practice and outline three strategies for facilities looking to improve staff compliance and engagement. We'll also provide links to application materials and license verification portals, review rules on delegating tasks, and cover penalties that may occur if standards are not met.
What Is the Louisiana Nurse Practice Act?
LPNs, RNs, CNAs, and APRNs practicing in Louisiana are required to follow the rules and guidelines outlined in the Louisiana nursing practice act. This legislation:
- Sets guidelines for the maintenance and renewal of a Louisiana nursing license.
- Establishes minimum care standards that must be met in state healthcare facilities.
- Specifies requirements for Louisiana nursing education programs.
- Clarifies penalties for NPA violations.
- Specifies rules, regulations, and protocols set forth by the Louisiana board of nursing.
Nurse Practice Act: Louisiana Laws at a Glance
Becoming familiar with the tenets outlined in the NPA can help you protect your patients and clinicians and ensure appropriate care. In the table below, we outline key components of the laws specific to Louisiana and explain how they directly affect your facility's employees.
| Louisiana Nurse Practice Act | |
|---|---|
| Legal Authorities | Louisiana Revised Statutes, Title 37:Sections 961 to 979Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 46, Part XLVII:Chapters 1-45 |
| Louisiana State Nursing Licensure Requirements | LouisianaRN licensure applicantsmust qualify by either passing the NCLEX examination or getting a license endorsed from another state.Steps forNCLEX Exam Qualification:Graduate from a Louisiana approved or accreditednursing education program.Submit an application with the appropriate fees.Complete acriminal background checkand fingerprinting.Register for and pass theNCLEX examination.Steps forEndorsement Qualification:Graduate from a Louisiana BON-approvednursing education programand submit verified transcripts.Complete abackground checkand fingerprint card.Present a valid license to practice nursing in another state.Submit an application with the appropriate fees forlicense verification.Note:The board may grant a non-renewable temporary RN license for nurses who are new to state nursing practice and meet board specifications. This temporary license is valid for a maximum of 12 weeks.The Louisiana Board of Nursing website also provides approximate timeframes for application processing and outlines the required steps torenew a nursing license. |
| Louisiana Nurse Practice Act Delegation of Duties | Nursing professionalsare allowed to delegatewhen:The task is within the RN’sscope of practice.The delegation of the task meets requirements of the administrative rules on delegation.The RN’s workplace or facility has established rules in place for the delegation of the task.The unlicensed employee has received training and has been proven competent to perform the task.The nurse is able to instruct, supervise, and evaluate the performance of the nursing task.There is minimal risk to the client if the task is performed improperly.Nursing professionals are prohibited from delegating tasks such as:Those that require thenursing process(assessment, interpretation, independent decision-making).Tasks that don’t fall under theLouisiana RN scope of practice.Theadministration of medicationswithout state-sanctioned training. |
| Penalties | Any violation of the following rules outlined in the Louisiana Revised StatutesSection 37:921represents grounds fordisciplinary action:Practicing any form of nursing without a legal licenseFurnishing a license that was unlawfully or fraudulently obtainedBeing convicted of a crime or offense that reflects a nurse’s inability to function professionallyShowing signs of incompetence by reason of negligence, habit, or other causePracticing nursing under the influence of drugs or alcoholAny of the above violations could result in a suspended or revoked nursing license along with fines and public reprimand. |
| Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) State? | Louisianaisinvolved in theNLC compact. Therefore, the Louisiana Nurse Practice Act encompassesrules and guidelinesestablished by the NLC. |
Improving NPA Compliance: 3 Strategies for Facilities
Beyond familiarizing yourself with the laws outlined in the Louisiana Nurse Practice Act, it's important to ensure that your facility's standards and protocols fall in line with state guidelines. These three tips can help you maintain regulatory compliance and keep your team functioning safely and effectively.
1. Verify Employee Credentials Upon Hire
As fraudulent licensure continues to be a nationwide problem, it's essential to assess the validity of each employee's state license, educational transcript, and mandatory certifications upon hire. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) makes it easy for administrators to instantly verify the legitimacy of these documents via their Nursys QuickConfirm portal.
Facility leaders should also ensure that clinicians renew their license on time to provide seamless care and prevent licensure gaps. Automating renewal reminders is one simple way that many facilities help their clinicians manage their own professional practice.
2. Provide Regular Staff Training
Team buy-in starts with educating your clinicians on their legal scope and delegation rights. You can empower your clinical staff by providing training on new licensure expectations and LA BON legal updates. You can provide this education in a variety of ways, such as:
- Hosting an in-person classroom course during annual competency training.
- Developing an online CE course.
- Listing Louisiana BON resources and quarterly newsletters on your organization's nursing website.
3. Report Misconduct to the LA Board of Nursing
The LA Board of Nursing has the authority to investigate any reports of misconduct or complaints against an applicant or licensee. They request that any individual suspecting fraudulent licensure or unprofessional conduct should report the individual in question to the LA BON online complaint portal. This can help you build patient trust and maintain a high quality of care.
Find More Ways to Support Your Clinical Team
Now that you understand the rules outlined in the Louisiana Nurse Practice Act, you're probably looking for additional strategies to support your staff. Get our other free, evidence-based resources and strategies to help your team practice safely and effectively.
Legal Disclaimer: This article contains general legal information, but it is not intended to constitute professional legal advice for any particular situation and should not be relied on as professional legal advice. Any references to the law may not be current, as laws regularly change through updates in legislation, regulation, and case law at the federal and state level. Nothing in this article should be interpreted as creating an attorney-client relationship. If you have legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.