Idaho Nurse Practice Act: Facility Guide
Nurses make up the largest sector of the healthcare industry, working in more than 100 different specialties. To ensure that all nurses are delivering safe and competent care, each state is responsible for enacting a set of laws that govern the entire profession. These laws are better known as Nurse Practice Acts (NPA), under which each state enforces rules related to the needs of their healthcare system.
In Idaho, the NPA is overseen by the state’s Board of Nursing, and it’s important for facility leaders to stay informed on these laws. In this article, we’ll summarize key aspects of the Idaho Nurse Practice Act and the rules and regulations that may impact your staff.
Idaho Nurse Practice Act at a Glance
The Idaho NPA outlines important information on scope of practice, delegation, credentialing, and standards of conduct for the following levels of nursing:
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
- Registered Nurses (RNs)
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)
We’ll provide an overview of these standards and requirements below.
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| Legal Authorities | Idaho Statutes, Title 54, Chapter 14:
Idaho Administrative Code: |
| Nursing Licensure Requirements | To obtain an RN or LPN license in Idaho, applicants must get licensed either by examination or endorsement.
Steps to receive licensure by examination:
Steps to receive licensure by endorsement:
More information about licensure renewal can be found on the Idaho Board of Nursing’s website. |
| Scope of Practice Guidelines | The Idaho Nurse Practice Act doesn’t explicitly list each task that falls under the APRN, RN, and LPN scope of practice. However, section 24.34.01.200 outlines a decision-making model to help nurses determine their scope. In summary, a nurse can carry out a task if it is:
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| Delegation Rules | Section 24.34.01.200 also summarizes a decision-making model for delegation. While all licensed nursing professionals have the authority to delegate, they must first:
Additionally, facilities are responsible for establishing a list of care tasks, in writing, that can be delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAPs). This must be in accordance with the NPA, and UAPs cannot re-delegate tasks. |
| Violations and Penalties | Section 1414 of the Idaho Statutes specifies prohibited acts and penalties. Examples of violations include:
Anyone who violates these rules can be subject to a fine of up to $300, imprisonment of up to 6 months, or both. The Board of Nursing can also impose additional penalties, such as licensure suspension, as appropriate. |
| Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) State? | Idaho 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
As a facility leader, you’re likely wondering what you can do to better enforce the Idaho Nurse Practice Act among your staff. Follow these three tips to help your nursing team meet the highest standards of professionalism and care.
1. Routinely Credential New and Current Staff
Employing nurses without a valid license is a clear violation of the NPA. To ensure that all of your new hires are qualified to work at your facility, make sure that you’re thoroughly credentialing their backgrounds prior to onboarding.
Additionally, LPNs, RNs, and APRNs in Idaho must renew their license every two years. Make sure that you’re reminding staff to complete their renewals ahead of time and that you’re keeping their updated documents on file. This will ensure that all staff are up-to-date on their competency requirements and maintain active licenses.
2. Establish Clear Protocols for UAPs
Under the Nurse Practice Act, Idaho regulations grant facilities the authority to specify what types of tasks can and cannot be delegated to UAPs. As such, it’s important to ensure that your institutional policies align with state and federal laws and that your protocols are as clear as possible for your staff. In addition to using the NPA as guidance, you can also refer to the NCSBN’s national guidelines when formulating your delegation protocols.
3. Report Suspicious Behavior in a Timely Manner
Everyone in the healthcare industry has a responsibility to protect patients. If you suspect that a nursing professional, administrator, or healthcare organization is participating in fraudulent activity that violates the NPA, report it as soon as possible. Complaints can be submitted directly to the Board of Nursing, which will then investigate and take appropriate action to protect the public.
Get the Latest Information About the Nursing Industry
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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.