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Reflection on Knowledge of Competencies
Discussion
• Scholarly sources are NOT required for this reflection
Reflection
Reflect on your current knowledge of the Nurse Practice Act in your state ( Maryland) or review your acts, rules, and regulations by going to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing at https://www.ncsbn.org/npa.htmLinks to an external site.
• How familiar are you with your state’s Nurse Practice Act?
• What did you learn that you didn’t know before today?
• How does this knowledge assist you as a leader or manager?
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I am fairly familiar with the Maryland Nurse Practice Act. I have read it several times and have taken a course on it. I am also familiar with the regulations that have been issued by the Maryland Board of Nursing.
I learned a few new things about the Nurse Practice Act today. I learned that nurses are allowed to delegate tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAPs) as long as they are properly trained and supervised. I also learned that nurses are required to report any suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to the authorities.
This knowledge will assist me as a leader or manager in several ways. First, it will help me to ensure that my nurses are practicing within the scope of their authority. Second, it will help me to develop policies and procedures that are in compliance with the Nurse Practice Act. Third, it will help me to resolve any issues that may arise related to the Nurse Practice Act.
Examples of how this knowledge could be used in a leadership or management role:
A nurse manager could use the knowledge of the Nurse Practice Act to develop a policy on delegation of tasks to UAPs. The policy would specify the types of tasks that can be delegated, the level of training and supervision required for UAPs, and the monitoring and evaluation procedures that will be used to ensure that the delegation is safe and effective.
A nurse manager could use the knowledge of the Nurse Practice Act to resolve a conflict between two nurses about who is responsible for a particular task. The nurse manager could refer to the Nurse Practice Act to determine which nurse is authorized to perform the task.
A nurse manager could use the knowledge of the Nurse Practice Act to provide education to nurses about their legal rights and responsibilities. The education could cover topics such as the scope of nursing practice, delegation, reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect, and disciplinary actions.
Overall, the knowledge of the Nurse Practice Act is essential for nurses who are in leadership or management roles. This knowledge can help nurses to ensure that they are practicing within the scope of their authority, develop policies and procedures that are in compliance with the law, and resolve any issues that may arise related to the Nurse Practice Act.
