Over 4.7 million nurses practice in the U.S., making the nursing profession the largest workforce within the healthcare industry. As nursing roles become more complex, each state is responsible for developing rules and regulations to govern the profession and ensure safe standards are met. In New Hampshire, these laws are known collectively as the New Hampshire (NH) Nurse Practice Act.
As a healthcare administrator, understanding key components of the New Hampshire Nurse Practice Act (NPA) can help you improve your facility's safety and care quality. In this article, we'll review key NPA laws that affect facilities and list tips to help you improve your team's NPA compliance.
What Is the NH Nurse Practice Act?
LPNs, RNs, and APRNs practicing in New Hampshire are required to follow the laws outlined in the state's NPA and related regulations. These laws establish:
- New Hampshire Board of Nursing rules and regulations.
- Minimum care standards that must be met in all healthcare facilities.
- The APRN, RN, and LPN scopes of practice for clinicians practicing in New Hampshire.
- Requirements for state nursing education programs.
- The steps required for maintaining and renewing a New Hampshire nursing license.
- New Hampshire APRN prescriptive authority.
- Disciplinary actions for NPA violations.
Nurse Practice Act: NH Laws at a Glance
The New Hampshire Nurse Practice Act details the state's licensure requirements, rules for delegation, and penalties for violations. In the table below, we'll provide clarity on some key aspects of these laws.
| New Hampshire (NH) Nurse Practice Act: Summary of Key Elements | |
|---|---|
| Legal Authorities | New Hampshire Revised Statutes, Title XXX:Chapter 310,Sections 310:1 to 310:17(general rules for professional licensure)Chapter 326,Sections 326-B:1 to 326-B:48(Nurse Practice Act)New Hampshire Administrative Code:Chapters Nur 100 to Nur 800 |
| New Hampshire State Nursing Licensure Requirements | New Hampshire RN licensure applicants must qualify by either passing the NCLEX examination or getting a license endorsed from another state.The steps forNCLEX exam qualificationare as follows:Graduate from a New Hampshire approved or accreditednursing education programand submit verified transcripts.Submit an application with the appropriate fees.Complete acriminal background checkand fingerprinting.Register for and pass theNCLEX examination.The steps forendorsement qualificationare as follows:Graduate from a New Hampshire BON-approved nursing education program and submit verified transcripts.Submit an application with theappropriate fees.Complete acriminal background checkand fingerprinting.Present a valid license to practice nursing in another state and submit arequest for licensure verificationthrough Nursys.Note:The NH board of nursing may grant atemporary licenseto nurses who are new to nursing practice in New Hampshire and meet board specifications. This temporary permit is valid for both new graduates and licensure by endorsement applicants andallows supervised practiceuntil the nurse is fully qualified. The permit is valid for up to 180 days.The New Hampshire Board of Nursing website also provides approximate timeframes for application processing and outlines the required steps torenew a New Hampshire nursing license. |
| NH Nurse Practice Act Delegation of Nursing Duties | Nursing professionals areallowed to delegateto unlicensed clinicians when:The patient’s condition is stable and predictable.The delegatee has the necessary education, skills, and experience to safely complete the task.The task is routine and doesn’t require complex decision-making.The delegatee is willing and able to perform the task.The nurse is able tomonitor and supervisethe completion of the task.The nurse maintains responsibility for the safe completion of the task and accurate documentation of the outcome in the patient’s medical record.The nurse is prohibited from delegating tasks that, among other things:Require the steps of the nursing process.Have already been delegated.The delegatee proves unwilling or incompetent to perform. |
| NPA Violations and Penalties | Nurses who practice outside of theNew Hampshire nursing scope of practiceor commit anyviolation of the Nurse Practice Actcould face disciplinary action. Grounds for discipline include, but are not limited to:Fraudulently obtaining a nursing license.Falsifying medical records.Demonstrating a willful or careless disregard for the health or safety of a patient.Demonstrating unprofessional conduct.Inappropriately delegating a nursing task.Providing care outside the nursing scope of practice.Failing to provide safe care due to a mental or physical condition.Diverting medication or violating another state or federal drug law.Any of the above violations could result in a suspended or revoked nursing license, along with fines, public reprimand, and the possibility ofcriminal charges. |
| Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) State? | According to the New Hampshire Revised StatutesSection 326-B:46, New Hampshireisinvolved in the NLC compact. Therefore, the New Hampshire NPA encompassesrules and guidelinesestablished by the NLC. |
Improving NPA Compliance: 3 Tips for Facilities
With this understanding of the NH Nurse Practice Act, you're in a great position to help your team provide the best care possible. Next, you'll want to incorporate these laws into your facility's policies and procedures. Here are three tips to help you get started.
1. Verify Employee Credentials
Before onboarding new employees, you'll want to make sure that they hold the degree, license, and certifications they claim to have earned. Administrators can conduct an NH nursing license verification on either the state's online license lookup service or the national Nursys Quick Confirm License Verification portal.
2. Stay Informed on Scope of Practice Advisory Updates
As a facility leader, it's important to empower your nurses with the knowledge and skills to manage their own professional practice. As nursing roles adapt to meet complex patient demands, you'll want your clinicians to have a thorough — and ongoing— understanding of their legal scope of practice to ensure they provide safe, effective care.
Encourage your team to familiarize themselves with the procedures, interventions, and tasks that fall within their scope of practice. The easiest way to do this is to refer them to the following practice advisories published by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing:
3. Report Suspected Misconduct
If you or your team members witness unprofessional conduct or suspect fraudulent practice, it's imperative that concerns are reported straight to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing. The easiest way to do this is by filing a complaint with the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensing and Certification. By taking concerns seriously, you can help your facility maintain the strong reputation you've worked so hard to earn.
Looking for More Ways to Support Your Nursing Team?
Keeping up with the New Hampshire (NH) Nurse Practice Act and ongoing nursing practice updates is critical for your patients, but also time consuming. If you'd like to get quick access to the latest nursing insights, consider checking out all of our healthcare resources, tools, and guides to ensure you're in the know.
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.