Louisiana Nurse Practice Act: Facility Guide
The healthcare industry is constantly changing to ensure patients receive the best possible care. While these changes are made to improve patient outcomes, evolving standards can make it challenging for administrators to regulate nursing care quality. To ensure clinicians provide safe care, each state is required to enact laws that regulate nursing practice. In Louisiana, these laws are collectively referred to as the Louisiana Nurse Practice Act.
The rules and regulations stemming from the Nurse Practice Act (NPA) hold clinicians accountable for the care they provide while practicing in Louisiana. They also outline requirements for state nursing licensure. In this article, we’ll review key elements of the Louisiana NPA that can affect nursing practice and outline three strategies for facilities looking to improve staff compliance and engagement.
What Is the Louisiana Nurse Practice Act?
LPNs, RNs, CNAs, and APRNs practicing in Louisiana are required to follow the rules and guidelines outlined in the Louisiana nursing practice act. This legislation:
- Sets guidelines for the maintenance and renewal of a Louisiana nursing license.
- Establishes minimum care standards that must be met in state healthcare facilities.
- Specifies requirements for Louisiana nursing education programs.
- Clarifies penalties for NPA violations.
- Specifies rules, regulations, and protocols set forth by the Louisiana board of nursing.
Nurse Practice Act: Louisiana Laws at a Glance
Becoming familiar with the tenets outlined in the NPA can help you protect your patients and clinicians and ensure appropriate care. In the table below, we outline key components of the laws specific to Louisiana and explain how they directly affect your facility’s employees.
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| Legal Authorities | Louisiana Revised Statutes, Title 37:
Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 46, Part XLVII: |
| Louisiana State Nursing Licensure Requirements | Louisiana RN licensure applicants must qualify by either passing the NCLEX examination or getting a license endorsed from another state.
Steps for NCLEX Exam Qualification:
Steps for Endorsement Qualification:
Note: The board may grant a non-renewable temporary RN license for nurses who are new to state nursing practice and meet board specifications. This temporary license is valid for a maximum of 12 weeks. The Louisiana Board of Nursing website also provides approximate timeframes for application processing and outlines the required steps to renew a nursing license. |
| Louisiana Nurse Practice Act Delegation of Duties | Nursing professionals are allowed to delegate when:
Nursing professionals are prohibited from delegating tasks such as:
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| Penalties | Any violation of the following rules outlined in the Louisiana Revised Statutes Section 37:921 represents grounds for disciplinary action:
Any of the above violations could result in a suspended or revoked nursing license along with fines and public reprimand. |
| Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) State? | Louisiana is involved in the NLC compact. Therefore, the Louisiana Nurse Practice Act encompasses rules and guidelines established by the NLC. |
Improving NPA Compliance: 3 Strategies for Facilities
Beyond familiarizing yourself with the laws outlined in the Louisiana Nurse Practice Act, it’s important to ensure that your facility’s standards and protocols fall in line with state guidelines. These three tips can help you maintain regulatory compliance and keep your team functioning safely and effectively.
1. Verify Employee Credentials Upon Hire
As fraudulent licensure continues to be a nationwide problem, it’s essential to assess the validity of each employee’s state license, educational transcript, and mandatory certifications upon hire. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) makes it easy for administrators to instantly verify the legitimacy of these documents via their Nursys QuickConfirm portal.
Facility leaders should also ensure that clinicians renew their license on time to provide seamless care and prevent licensure gaps. Automating renewal reminders is one simple way that many facilities help their clinicians manage their own professional practice.
2. Provide Regular Staff Training
Team buy-in starts with educating your clinicians on their legal scope and delegation rights. You can empower your clinical staff by providing training on new licensure expectations and LA BON legal updates. You can provide this education in a variety of ways, such as:
- Hosting an in-person classroom course during annual competency training.
- Developing an online CE course.
- Listing Louisiana BON resources and quarterly newsletters on your organization’s nursing website.
3. Report Misconduct to the LA Board of Nursing
The LA Board of Nursing has the authority to investigate any reports of misconduct or complaints against an applicant or licensee. They request that any individual suspecting fraudulent licensure or unprofessional conduct should report the individual in question to the LA BON online complaint portal. This can help you build patient trust and maintain a high quality of care.
Find More Ways to Support Your Clinical Team
Now that you understand the rules outlined in the Louisiana Nurse Practice Act, you’re probably looking for additional strategies to support your staff. Our free newsletter, written by a team of clinical and legal experts, is full of evidence-based resources and strategies to help your team practice safely and effectively.
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.