Texas Board of Nursing (BON) and Professional Nursing Practice

Mission and Role of the Texas Board of Nursing (BON)

The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) is the regulatory authority responsible for overseeing the practice of nursing in Texas. Its mission is to protect and promote the welfare of the people of Texas by ensuring that each person holding a nursing license is competent to practice safely.

• Protection of the Public: The BON's primary goal is to safeguard the health and safety of the public by regulating nursing practice.

• Licensure and Regulation: The BON licenses, regulates, and monitors the status of Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs).

• Approval of Education Programs: The BON approves nursing education programs for RNs and LVNs to ensure quality education and training.

• Establishment: The State of Texas passed the first law recognizing nursing as a profession, leading to the creation of the BON.

History of the Texas BON

• Licensure: The BON issues licenses to qualified individuals, ensuring they meet educational and professional standards.

• Regulation: The BON monitors and regulates nursing practice to maintain public safety.

• Education: The BON approves and oversees nursing education programs for both RNs and LVNs.

BON Responsibilities & Services

• Licensing nurses

• Approving nursing education programs

• Monitoring compliance with nursing laws and regulations

• Disciplinary actions for violations of nursing standards

Nursing Practice Act: Definition of Professional Nursing

The Nursing Practice Act defines the scope and standards of professional nursing. It outlines what constitutes professional nursing and the responsibilities of licensed nurses.

• Professional Nursing: The performance of an act that requires substantial specialized judgment and skill, based on knowledge and application of biological, physical, and social sciences as acquired by a completed course in an approved school of professional nursing.

• Scope of Practice: Includes observation, assessment, intervention, evaluation, rehabilitation, care and counsel of the ill, injured, infirm, or experiencing a change in normal health processes.

• Exclusions: Does not include acts of medical diagnosis or prescription of therapeutic or corrective measures.

Professional Nursing Involves:

• (A) The observation, assessment, intervention, evaluation, rehabilitation, care and counsel, or health teaching of persons who are ill, injured, infirm, or experiencing a change in normal health processes.

• (B) The maintenance of health or prevention of illness.

• (C) The administration of a medication or treatment as ordered by a physician, podiatrist, or dentist.

• (D) The supervision or teaching of nursing.

• (E) The administration, supervision, and evaluation of nursing practices, policies, and procedures.

• (F) The requesting, receiving, signing for, and distribution of prescription drug samples in certain settings (with advanced practice registered nurse authorization).

American Nurses Association (ANA): Mission and Standards

Mission Statement

The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the professional organization representing nurses in the United States. Its mission is to advance the nursing profession and promote the health and well-being of the public.

• Definition of Nursing: Nursing integrates the science and art of caring, focusing on the promotion and optimization of health and human functioning, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through compassionate care, and the diagnosis and treatment of human responses to health and illness.

• Scope and Standards of Practice: Outlines the essential duties and responsibilities of RNs, serving as a guide for the practice of nursing.

• Scope of Practice: The range of nursing practice activities.

• Standards of Practice: The minimum standards for nursing practice (what must be done and the standards to which nurses must adhere).

ANA's Code of Ethics for Nurses

• Provides a framework for ethical practice and decision-making in nursing.

• Emphasizes respect for human dignity, patient advocacy, and professional integrity.

ANA: Social Media Guidelines for Nurses

Nurses must use social media responsibly to protect patient privacy and maintain professional standards.

• DO's:

  • Know and follow your organization's social media policy.

  • Take advantage of privacy settings.

  • Maintain professionalism in person and online (public forums).

  • Consider adding a disclaimer in your social media bio.

• DON'Ts:

  • Post patient stories.

  • Indiscriminately post from your workplace.

  • Connect with patients or their family members online.

  • Complain about your employer.

  • Post anything that can shame the nursing profession.

Table: Comparison of BON and ANA Roles

Key Terms and Definitions

• Licensure: The process by which a governmental agency grants permission to individuals to practice a given profession by certifying that those licensed have attained the minimal degree of competency necessary to ensure that the public health, safety, and welfare are reasonably well protected.

• Scope of Practice: The activities that an individual healthcare practitioner is permitted to perform within a specific profession, based on specific education, experience, and demonstrated competency.

• Standards of Practice: Authoritative statements that describe the responsibilities for which nurses are accountable.

• Code of Ethics: A set of principles that guide the professional conduct of nurses to ensure ethical and safe practice.