Ohio Nurse Practice Act (1 Hour)
Law and Rules – Category A
CONTACT HOURS: 1
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LEARNING OUTCOME AND OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this continuing education course, you will have increased your knowledge of the standards of safe nursing practice as outlined in the Ohio Nurse Practice Act and the rules of the Ohio Administrative Code as written by the Ohio Board of Nursing in accordance with Section 4723 of the Ohio Revised Code. Specific learning objectives to address potential knowledge gaps include:
- Describe the Ohio Scope of Practice Decision-Making Model.
- Discuss the standards for competent nursing practice of RNs and LPNs in Ohio.
- Explain standards for the promotion of patient safety by licensed nurses in Ohio.
- Summarize the RN and LPN standards for applying the nursing process in Ohio.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Ohio Board of Nursing and Ohio Administrative Code
- Standards of Competency for RNs
- Standards of Competency for LPNs
- Standards of Competency for Advanced Practice Nurses
- Standards that Promote Patient Safety
- Standards for Applying the Nursing Process for RNs
- Standards for Applying the Nursing Process for LPNs
- Conclusion
- Resources
- References
The establishment of standards for nursing education and practice is the result of efforts by nursing associations that began over 100 years ago. Currently in each state or territory, a law known as the Nurse Practice Act designates an authoritative body that defines and regulates the nursing practice of every nurse in every role. This authoritative body, known as a board of nursing, is responsible for ensuring that nurses who practice in the state for which they have responsibility are competent, safe, skilled, and knowledgeable about the standards set forth in that state’s scope of practice for nurses (NCSBN, 2018). This course presents those standards for the state of Ohio written by the Ohio Board of Nursing in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act.
OHIO BOARD OF NURSING AND OHIO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
All licensed medical professionals work under accepted standards derived from local, state, and federal laws as well as professional guidelines. Licensed nurses are no exception. Their scope of practice is defined by the Nurse Practice Act (NPA) of the state in which they practice. In Ohio, the NPA is codified in Section 4723 of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC). It establishes an Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN) and defines its structure and function.
Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN)
The Nurse Practice Act (ORC 4723) authorizes the OBN to make and enforce rules and regulations for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, advanced practice nurses (certified nurse-midwives, certified nurse practitioners, certified nurse specialists, and certified registered nurse anesthetists), dialysis technicians, and community health workers. The board regulates over 300,000 licenses and certificates. Its top priorities are to efficiently license the nursing workforce and remove dangerous practitioners from practice in a timely manner to protect Ohio patients (OH BON, 2021).
MEMBERSHIP
Board members are public officials and meetings are open to the public. The board is made up of thirteen members: eight registered nurses, four licensed practical nurses, and one consumer appointed by the governor. At least two of the registered nurses shall hold a current, valid license issued under the ORC that authorizes the practice of nursing as an advanced practice registered nurse. The board has the legal authority to administer and enforce all provisions of the NPA. It must review each rule within the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) at least once every five years. The board is funded and supported by mandatory licensure fees paid by nurses wishing to practice legally in the state of Ohio. The board does not have authority over employers (ORC 4723.02).
SCOPE OF PRACTICE
Because nursing is a dynamic practice, questions may arise about whether certain tasks are within the nurse’s scope of practice. All nursing care should be consistent with the nurse’s preparation, education, experience, knowledge, and demonstrated competency.
The Ohio Board of Nursing has developed a Scope of Practice Decision-Making Model to help nurses determine whether a task is within their scope of practice. The model uses a decision tree with references and is based on legality, competency, safety, and accountability.
OBN SCOPE OF PRACTICE DECISION-MAKING MODEL
The Scope of Practice Decision-Making Model includes the following steps:
- Define/describe the activity or task: Is the activity or task within the scope of practice and not prohibited or precluded by any other law or rule?
- Can the nurse perform the activity or task and meet the standards of safe nursing practice as defined in OAC, chapter 4723-4? Can the nurse demonstrate and document current knowledge, skills, and abilities?
- Is this activity or task safe and appropriate to perform with this patient at this time?
- The nurse may perform the activity/task according to acceptable and prevailing standards of safe nursing care and prepare to accept accountability for the nursing actions.
Each of these steps must be answered with a “yes” before proceeding to the next step. If at any point an answer is “no,” the nurse must not perform the action (OBN, 2019).
Ohio Administrative Code
The rules of the Board of Nursing regulate nursing practice in Ohio and are contained in Section 4723 of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC). This course reviews those chapters in Section 4723 that set forth the standards of competency, safe nursing practice, delegation, application of the nursing process, and discipline for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses in the state of Ohio.
CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR RENEWAL FOR RNs and LPNs
For the period immediately following Ohio licensure by NCLEX examination, the nurse is not required to complete any contact hours of CE for the first license renewal. Other than the first renewal immediately following licensure by exam, nurses must complete at least 24 contact hours of CE that includes at least one contact hour of Category A CE for each renewal. A nurse who has been licensed in Ohio by reciprocity for less than or equal to one year prior to the first Ohio license renewal must complete at least 12 contact hours, rather than 24 (OBN, 2020).