Board of Registration Board of Registration

in Nursingin Nursing

Module: Module: Introduction to the Introduction to the

Massachusetts Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing Board of Registration in Nursing

and the and the Regulation of Nursing PracticeRegulation of Nursing Practice

Regulations: Regulations: What are they?What are they?

• Rules enacted through state Rules enacted through state legislative action.legislative action.

• Rules of specific authority.Rules of specific authority.• Delegated authority to enforce the Delegated authority to enforce the

nurse practice act.nurse practice act.• Expertise of a group to implement Expertise of a group to implement

a statute.a statute.

Regulations: Regulations: Why do we have them?Why do we have them?

• Reflective of the complexity of Reflective of the complexity of modern life.modern life.

• The public’s measure of evaluation of The public’s measure of evaluation of the provider’s level of competency.the provider’s level of competency.

• Develops specific standards of public Develops specific standards of public protection.protection.

• Detailed requirements of safety. Detailed requirements of safety. • DUTY TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC.DUTY TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC.

Regulations: Regulations: Where did they come from?Where did they come from?

• First found in the 13th century in First found in the 13th century in Sicily & Holy Roman Empire.Sicily & Holy Roman Empire.

• Export from the ancient Arab world.Export from the ancient Arab world.• 1511 - Henry VIII creates “The 1511 - Henry VIII creates “The

College” which was given the College” which was given the authority to license physicians.authority to license physicians.

• 1649 - Massachusetts sets 1st 1649 - Massachusetts sets 1st physician training laws. physician training laws.

continuedcontinued

• Civil War era - no uniformity to Civil War era - no uniformity to education & practice of physicians.education & practice of physicians.

• Florence Nightingale opens school at Florence Nightingale opens school at St. Thomas hospital - London.St. Thomas hospital - London.

• 1901 - New Zealand is the first 1901 - New Zealand is the first country to enact nurse licensing laws.country to enact nurse licensing laws.

• 1903 - North Carolina is the first US 1903 - North Carolina is the first US state to enact registration laws.state to enact registration laws.

continuedcontinued• The Acts of 1910:The Acts of 1910:

Establish the Massachusetts Board of Establish the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Nurses (BRN)Registration of Nurses (BRN)

• Authorized BRN to license RNsAuthorized BRN to license RNs•Qualifications:Qualifications:

• Age (21 years)Age (21 years)• Of good moral characterOf good moral character• Fee ($5.00)Fee ($5.00)• License examinationLicense examination

Board of Registration in Board of Registration in Nursing (Board)Nursing (Board)

Mission:Mission: to to lead in the protectionlead in the protection of the of the healthhealth, , safetysafety and and welfarewelfare of the of the citizens of the Commonwealth citizens of the Commonwealth through the fair and consistent through the fair and consistent applicationapplication of the statutes and of the statutes and regulations governing nursing regulations governing nursing practice and nursing education.practice and nursing education.

Board Board

Goals:Goals:• Ensure that persons licensed as Ensure that persons licensed as

nurses are nurses are qualifiedqualified to provide to provide the citizens of the Commonwealth the citizens of the Commonwealth with with safe & effectivesafe & effective nursing care. nursing care.

• Lead in state government & public Lead in state government & public arenas in the arenas in the promotionpromotion of of safe & safe & effectiveeffective nursing practice. nursing practice.

• Massachusetts General Law (M.G.L.) Chapter Massachusetts General Law (M.G.L.) Chapter 13, §§. 13, 14, 14A, 15 and 15D13, §§. 13, 14, 14A, 15 and 15D

• Establishes a Board of Nursing to regulate Establishes a Board of Nursing to regulate practice and educationpractice and education

• 17 appointed members - 14 nurses, 2 public 17 appointed members - 14 nurses, 2 public members, 1 physician, and 1 pharmacist. members, 1 physician, and 1 pharmacist. Nurse members are representatives from Nurse members are representatives from education (all levels of RN & LPN), direct care education (all levels of RN & LPN), direct care (RN & LPN), administration, and advanced (RN & LPN), administration, and advanced nursing practice.nursing practice.

The Nurse Practice ActThe Nurse Practice Act

• Makes, adopts, amends, repeals and Makes, adopts, amends, repeals and enforces regulationsenforces regulations

• Issues advisory rulings and opinions to Issues advisory rulings and opinions to guide practice and educationguide practice and education

• Authorizes nurses to practice in Authorizes nurses to practice in advanced rolesadvanced roles

• LicensureLicensure

Functions of the BoardFunctions of the Board

continuedcontinued

• Investigates and takes action Investigates and takes action against complaintsagainst complaints

• Audits competencyAudits competency• Administers SARP ProgramAdministers SARP Program• Consults and conducts forums and Consults and conducts forums and

research on practice and educationresearch on practice and education

“…“…Each individual licensed to Each individual licensed to practice nursing in the practice nursing in the commonwealth shall be directly commonwealth shall be directly accountable for the safety of accountable for the safety of nursing care he delivers.”nursing care he delivers.”

M.G.L. Chapter 112, Section M.G.L. Chapter 112, Section 80B80B

Organizational StructureOrganizational Structure

Commonwealth of MassachusettsCommonwealth of Massachusetts

Office of the GovernorOffice of the Governor

Executive Office of Health & Human Executive Office of Health & Human ServicesServices

Department of Public HealthDepartment of Public Health

Center for Quality Assurance & ControlCenter for Quality Assurance & Control

Division of Health Professions LicensureDivision of Health Professions Licensure

Board of Registration in NursingBoard of Registration in Nursing

244 CMR 3.00- 9.00:244 CMR 3.00- 9.00:The Regulations Governing The Regulations Governing NursingNursing

3.00:3.00: Registered Nurse & Registered Nurse & Licensed Practical NurseLicensed Practical Nurse

4.00:4.00: Advance Practice NursingAdvance Practice Nursing5.00: 5.00: Continuing EducationContinuing Education6.00:6.00: Schools of NursingSchools of Nursing7.00:7.00: Action on ComplaintsAction on Complaints8.00: 8.00: Licensure RequirementsLicensure Requirements9.00:9.00: Standards of ConductStandards of Conduct

Duty of the Board MembersDuty of the Board Members

To have the responsibility and power To have the responsibility and power

to administer, coordinate, and to administer, coordinate, and enforce enforce

the provisions of the statutes the provisions of the statutes

without limitation to such without limitation to such

power, duties, and authorities power, duties, and authorities

as it may be granted by its status.as it may be granted by its status.