The nursing profession encompasses multiple role titles and scopes of practice. While this diversification of care duties allows facilities to provide comprehensive care, it can also make it difficult to regulate treatment quality and effectiveness. To ensure patients receive the best possible nursing care, each state has enacted rules and regulations to govern nursing practice. In Tennessee, these laws are known collectively as the Tennessee Nurse Practice Act.
What rules are outlined in the Tennessee Nursing Practice Act (NPA) and how do they hold clinicians accountable for the care they provide? In this article, we'll provide an introduction to the Tennessee NPA, explain how these regulations impact nurses and facilities, and outline tips for administrators looking to improve regulatory compliance within their organization.
What Is the Tennessee Nurse Practice Act?
LPNs, RNs, and APRNs practicing in Tennessee are required to follow the laws outlined in the state's NPA. These laws establish:
- TN Board of Nursing rules and regulations.
- Minimum care standards that must be met in all healthcare facilities.
- The steps required for maintaining and renewing a Tennessee nursing license.
- Requirements for Tennessee nursing education programs.
- Penalties for Tennessee NPA violations.
Nurse Practice Act: Tennessee Laws at a Glance
As a facility administrator, having a firm understanding of Tennessee's nursing laws is essential to supporting your clinical team. In the table below, we highlight important elements of the state's NPA, detailing Tennessee's licensure requirements, rules for delegation, and penalties for violations.
| Tennessee State Nurse Practice Act | |
|---|---|
| Legal Authorities | Tennessee Code:Title 63, Chapter 7Tennessee Administrative Code:Chapters 1000-01 to 1000-05 |
| Tennessee State Nursing Licensure Requirements | Tennessee 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 Tennessee approved or accreditednursing education programand submit verified transcripts.Submit an application with theappropriate fees.Complete acriminal background checkand fingerprinting.Register for and pass theNCLEX examination.The steps forendorsement qualificationare as follows:Graduate from a Tennessee BON-approved nursing education program andsubmit verified transcripts.Submit anapplicationwith the appropriate fees.Complete a criminal background check and fingerprinting.Present a valid license to practice nursing in another state and submit arequest for licensure verification.Note:According to Tennessee Code Section63-7-105, the board may grant a temporary license for nurses who are new to the nursing practice in Iowa and meet board specifications. This temporary permit is valid for licensure by endorsement applicants only and allows supervised practice until the nurse is fully qualified. The permit is valid for a single period of up to six months. |
| Tennessee Nurse Practice Act Delegation of Nursing Duties | According to the Tennessee Administrative Code Rule1000-03.02, nursing professionals are allowed to delegate to unlicensed clinicians when:The task falls within the delegatee’s scope of practice.The delegatee has the necessary education, skills and competence to accomplish the task safely.The task is consistent with the delegatee’s job description and can be performed safely and predictably with little to no risk to the patient.The nurse communicates directions and expectations for completion of the delegated activity and is able to maintain professional accountability for the task.The nurse is able to supervise the delegatee by monitoring performance, progress, and outcomes of the task.The nurse can intervene when necessary.The task does not require thenursing process(assessment, interpretation, and independent decision-making). |
| NPA Violations and Penalties | Rule1000-03-.01of the Tennessee Administrative Code lists the standards of professional nursing accountability. According to this rule, TN nurses must:Practice within their legal scope of practice.Demonstrate honesty and integrity.Base nursing decisions on sound knowledge and skills.Accept responsibility for judgments, individual nursing actions, competence, decisions, and behavior in the course of nursing practice.Report violations of the Nursing Practice Act by self or other licensees.A breach of the above standards of accountability, along with any violation outlined in Section63-7-115of the Tennessee Code, represents grounds for disciplinary action. These violations include but are not limited to:Fraudulently obtaining a nursing license.Being guilty of a crime.Demonstrating physical or mental incompetence.Violating Tennessee’s laws of professional conduct.Practicing nursing under the influence of drugs or alcohol.Any of the above violations could result in a suspended or revoked nursing license, along with fines, public reprimand, and the possibility of criminal charges. |
| Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) State? | Tennesseeisinvolved in theNLC compact. Therefore, the Tennessee Nurse Practice Act encompassesrules and guidelinesestablished by the NLC. |
Improving Regulatory Compliance: 3 Tips for Facilities
Now that you have a basic understanding of the Tennessee NPA, you'll want to ensure your facility's nursing policies and procedures incorporate these laws. The following three tips will help you boost regulatory compliance and enhance care quality in your organization.
1. Provide NPA Training to Your Nursing Team
Empower your clinical team to manage their own professional practice by educating them on the laws outlined in the Tennessee Nurse Practice Act. You can share NPA information on your nursing website, in an online review course, or during an in-person NPA seminar. In your staff training, be sure to review:
- The TN board of nursing scope of practice.
- Tennessee nursing licensure renewal requirements.
- How and where to access the Tennessee NPA.
2. Verify Employee Credentials Upon Hire
With fraudulent nursing practice on the rise, you'll want to ensure each new employee has earned the degree, license, and certification they list on their resume. You can do this using Tennessee's License Verification service or the Nursys Quick Confirm License Verification portal.
3. Report Suspected Misconduct
While the Tennessee Board of Nursing is responsible for upholding the rules of the NPA, it's ultimately up to facility administrators, bedside staff, patients, and their family members to ensure clinicians are practicing in accordance with state laws.
By posting a link to Tennessee's official complaint form on your nursing website, you can make it easy to report concerns like:
- Unprofessional misconduct
- Fraudulent licensure
- Inappropriate delegation
Stay Informed on the Latest Regulatory Updates
Now that you're familiar with the Tennessee Nurse Practice Act, you're in a great position to support and empower your clinical team. Looking to stay in the know on all things healthcare? Our team of clinical and legal experts can provide you with free resources, guides, and tools so that you don't miss a beat.
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.