Indiana Nurse Practice Act: Facility Guide
The healthcare industry is continuously expanding to meet the demand for patient care, offering a diverse range of roles for nursing professionals to pursue. To better define these roles and protect patients from preventable harm, each state has the responsibility of establishing laws that govern everything related to nursing practice. In Indiana, Nurse Practice Act (NPA) provisions serve as legal guidelines that all nursing professionals must follow.
It’s important for healthcare leaders to learn how to apply provisions in the NPA and enforce proper care protocols at the institutional level. In this article, we’ll provide an overview of the Indiana NPA and share tips to ensure your staff is practicing safely and appropriately.
Indiana Nursing Practice Act at a Glance
The Indiana NPA outlines a set of provisions that defines what qualifies a nurse to practice, professional standards, and scope of practice guidelines. The table below summarizes key components of the NPA that can help facility leaders support staff compliance.
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| Legal Authorities | Indiana Code:
Indiana Administrative Code: |
| Nursing Licensure Requirements | To obtain a registered nurse (RN) license in Indiana, applicants must either pass the NCLEX examination or receive licensure through endorsement.
Steps to Receive Licensure by Examination:
Steps to Receive Licensure by Endorsement:
More information about licensure renewal or temporary permits can be found on the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency’s website. |
| Indiana Nurse Practice Act Scope of Practice Guidelines | Under 848 IAC 2-2-1, the scope of practice for a registered nurse (RN) broadly encompasses the following duties:
More information about the licensed practical nurse (LPN) and nurse practitioner scope of practice can be found in 848 IAC 2-3-1 and 848 IAC 4-2-1, respectively. |
| Indiana Nurse Practice Act Delegation Rules | In terms of delegation, sections 848 IAC 2-2-2 and 848 IAC 2-3-2 state that:
As these guidelines are quite broad, facility leaders can also reference the American Nurses Association’s national guidelines on delegation as a resource to facilitate care coordination among their nursing staff. |
| Penalties | Section 848 IAC 2-2-3 describes nursing behaviors that constitute unprofessional conduct. Examples of these behaviors include:
If a nursing professional participates in these behaviors or violates any other aspects of the NPA, the Indiana Board of Nursing can impose penalties as appropriate. According to Indiana Code 25-1-9-9, these penalties may include:
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| Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) State? | Indiana is part of the NLC, meaning that nurses within the state can practice according to rules and guidelines established by the NLC. |
Improving NPA Compliance: 3 Tips for Facilities
Enforcing the Indiana Nurse Practice Act is necessary to hold your staff to professional standards and build a better culture of safety. Follow these tips to help your nursing staff deliver appropriate care and stay within their scope of practice.
1. Provide Ongoing Staff Training
Beyond understanding what’s in the Nurse Practice Act, Indiana facility leaders must use these provisions to inform their institutional care protocols. Provide your staff with regular training and resources to help them stay aware of which federal-, state-, and facility-level policies impact their care delivery. This may include assembling a risk management team that can guide staff on scope of practice and delegation rules.
2. Verify Credentials During the Hiring Process
The NPA protects patients from individuals who are not qualified to deliver appropriate nursing care. As such, facility leaders have a responsibility to vet the nursing professionals that they’re hiring. Screening for resume red flags and conducting thorough background checks can help protect your facility and patients from nurses who don’t have appropriate credentials.
3. Stay Informed About Regulatory Updates
Federal and state laws can often change, and it’s important to keep up with amendments to the NPA that can impact your staff. Facility leaders can stay informed about pertinent changes through the Indiana Board of Nursing’s website.
Get The Resources You Need to Maintain Compliance
Keeping up with the Indiana Nurse Practice Act and other regulations can feel overwhelming when you’re busy running a facility. Seeking practical ways to stay informed? IntelyCare’s free newsletter offers dozens of expert-written insights on nurse staffing, state laws, and more.
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.