Georgia Nurse Practice Act: Facility Guide
Nurses, as with all healthcare professionals, are expected to keep patients safe and do their best to deliver quality care that complies with the law. Each state is responsible for establishing its own set of laws and regulations governing everything related to how nurses deliver care, holding them to a high standard of professionalism. In Georgia, Nurse Practice Act (NPA) provisions serve as the legal guidelines that all nursing professionals must follow to minimize the risk of legal action.
As a facility leader, taking the time to understand the NPA is an important way to enforce appropriate care protocols. To help you build a better culture of safety, we’ll summarize key aspects of the Georgia NPA and share tips on how to enforce these laws among your staff.
Georgia State Nurse Practice Act at a Glance
The Georgia NPA is overseen by the state’s board of nursing (BON). These provisions define different levels of nursing, credentialing requirements, professional standards, and scope of practice guidelines, which we’ll broadly summarize in the table below.
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| Georgia Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations | Georgia Code, Title 43, Chapter 26:
Georgia Rules and Regulations, Department 410: |
| Nursing Licensure Requirements | To obtain a registered nurse (RN) license in Georgia, applicants must either pass the NCLEX examination or submit an endorsement application to the BON.
Steps to Receive Licensure by Examination:
Steps to Receive Licensure by Endorsement:
More information about license renewal or temporary permits can be found on the Georgia BON website. |
| Georgia Nurse Practice Act Scope of Practice Guidelines | The Georgia NPA doesn’t explicitly define what tasks nursing professionals can and cannot do. However, the board of nursing provides a scope of practice decision-making model, which broadly states that nursing professionals should carry out activities that:
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| Georgia Nurse Practice Act Delegation Rules | According to Rule 410-10-.03, nursing professionals are prohibited from delegating tasks that:
Nursing professionals must also supervise any person to whom nursing tasks are delegated. More information about delegation can be found in the board of nursing’s position statement on assigning tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel. |
| Penalties | Under Georgia Code, Section 43-1-19(d), a professional licensing board like the Georgia Board of Nursing, can take one or more of the following disciplinary actions if a professional violates any established nursing rule or regulation:
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| Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) State? | Georgia is part of the NLC, meaning that nurses within the state can practice according to the rules and guidelines established by the NLC. |
Improving NPA Compliance: 3 Tips for Facilities
Enforcing the Nurse Practice Act in Georgia is an important way to hold staff accountable for their actions and protect patient safety. Now that you have a solid overview of the NPA, you can follow these tips to help your nursing staff meet (and exceed) professional standards.
1. Stay Informed of Regulatory Updates
State nursing rules and regulations change quite frequently to reflect the evolving healthcare landscape. It’s important for both facility leaders and staff to stay up-to-date on pertinent updates to the NPA and ensure that outdated practices are retired.
The Georgia board of nursing periodically releases position statements to clarify and modify components of the NPA. You can find and read these statements on the board of nursing’s website.
2. Protect Your Facility From Fake Nurses
The Georgia NPA strictly prohibits any unlicensed personnel from practicing as a nurse. While rare, some individuals may try to apply for roles using fake degrees, licenses, and credentials. It’s important to thoroughly screen and vet candidates during the hiring process and stay alert for resume red flags, such as references to non-accredited nursing programs. If you do discover that an individual is forging their credentials, it’s important to report any suspicious behavior to the Georgia board of nursing.
3. Ensure Staff Are Renewing Licenses in a Timely Manner
Practicing with an expired nursing license is also a violation of the Georgia Nurse Practice Act. LPN and RN licenses expire every two years. CNAs must also renew their certifications every two years. Send out regular reminders and resources for your staff to complete the state’s continuing education requirements and renew their licenses within the designated renewal period each year.
Discover More Ways to Maintain High Standards at Your Facility
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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.