Nursing has grown to become the largest healthcare profession in the U.S. With over 4 million nurses currently working across the country, state laws are crucial for regulating patient care practices. In Nebraska, nurse practice act provisions serve as the primary guidelines that all nursing professionals must follow in order to deliver safe and competent care.
As a facility leader, staying informed about these guidelines is an important way to enforce appropriate protocols among your staff. In this article, we'll provide an overview of the Nebraska NPA and outline tips for promoting staff compliance.
Nebraska NPA at a Glance
The board of nursing is responsible for overseeing and enforcing all rules outlined in the Nurse Practice Act. Nebraska facility leaders should refer to these regulations when creating and implementing care protocols for nursing staff. We've summarized key aspects of the NPA below, with links to helpful resources and statutes.
| Nebraska State Nurse Practice Act Summary | |
|---|---|
| Legal Authorities | Nebraska Revised Statutes:Sections 38-2201 to 38-2238Nebraska Administrative Code:Title 172, Chapters 97 to 104 |
| Nursing Licensure Requirements | In Nebraska, a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) license can be obtained by examination or endorsement.Steps to receive licensure by examination:Complete an accredited nursing program.Register for and pass the NCLEX exam.Completean application for examination.Submit a background check and fingerprints.Steps to receive licensure by endorsement:Verify licensure throughNURSYS.Submit a background check and fingerprints.Complete anapplication for endorsement.More information aboutlicensure renewalcan be found on the Board of Nursing’s website. |
| Scope of Practice Guidelines | Sections38-2211and38-2212of the Nebraska Nurse Practice Act broadly define thescope of practicefor RNs and LPNs. According to theLPN scope of practice, Nebraska LPNs must work under the direction of an RN. Their responsibilities include:Contributing to the assessment of health status.Participating in the development and modification of plan of care.Implementing appropriate aspects of the plan of care.Participating in evaluating responses to interventions.Providing IV therapy (persection 38-2237).Tasks that fall under theRN scope of practiceinclude:Assessing human responses to actual or potential health conditions.Establishing nursing diagnoses, goals, and outcomes.Establishing and maintaining a plan of care.Prescribing nursing interventions to implement the plan of care.Administering, managing, and supervising the practice of nursing.Information on the Nebraskanurse practitioner scope of practicecan be found in theAPRN Nurse Practice Act. |
| Delegation Rules | According to Section172-99-004, RNs hold all accountability for the nursing process and delegation decisions. In order to delegate a task, RNs must:Assess the patient’s needs and when to delegate.Determine the competency of the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) delegated to complete the task.Determine methods of supervision.Communicate a plan to the delagatee.Hold accountability for the delegation decision and outcome. |
| Violations and Penalties | Section172-101-006of the regulations supporting the Nebraska Nurse Practice Act define acts of unprofessional conduct, which can include:Failing to utilize appropriate judgment aligned with an individual’s level of licensure.Verbally or physically abusing patients.Falsifying patient records.Altering or falsifying nursing licenses.The board of nursing is responsible for determining the severity of each violation and recommendingdisciplinary actionsas appropriate. |
| Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) State? | Nebraskaispart of the NLC, meaning that nurses within the state can practice according to therules and guidelinesestablished by the NLC. |
Improving NPA Compliance: 3 Tips for Facilities
Understanding the Nebraska Nurse Practice Act is the first step to improving compliance at your facility. Here are three additional tips that can help you apply these provisions in practice.
1. Implement Clear Delegation Procedures
Under the Nebraska NPA, RNs hold full responsibility for overseeing the delegation process. It's important to support your RNs by implementing clear institutional protocols that guide their decision-making. Start by familiarizing yourself with the five rights of delegation and creating a nursing committee that can help determine what can and cannot be delegated to UAPs.
2. Remind Staff to Renew Their Licenses
It's illegal for nurses to practice without an active license. Ensure your staff are staying ahead of renewals by sending out annual reminders with links to Nebraska's requirements. Staff should be prepared to fill out the online renewal application and complete all required continuing education hours.
3. Stay Up-to-Date on Nebraska Board of Nursing Regulations
Nursing regulations are constantly being updated to reflect evolving practice standards. You can stay up-to-date on the latest information by regularly checking the board of nursing's website and reviewing their published advisory opinions. These publications include additional information to help both nursing professionals and facility leaders adhere to rules outlined in the NPA.
Discover More Ways to Stay Informed and Compliant
Keeping up with the Nebraska Nurse Practice Act can be difficult when you're juggling all of the other responsibilities of running a facility. Need help staying informed? Get even more healthcare management tips, insights, and news, written to help your facility thrive.
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.