Wisconsin Nurse Practice Act: Facility Guide

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Written by Danielle Roques, BSN, RN, CCRN Content Writer, IntelyCare
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Reviewed by Aldo Zilli, Esq. Senior Manager, B2B Content, IntelyCare
Wisconsin nurses smiling for the camera.

Over the last century, the nursing scope of practice has expanded to meet rising healthcare demands. With over 4.7 million nurses practicing in facilities across the U.S., it can be challenging for administrators to standardize rules for nursing practice. To ensure patients receive safe and appropriate care, each state has enacted laws to govern the nursing profession. In WI, this legislation is known as the Wisconsin Nurse Practice Act.

What is the Wisconsin Nursing Practice Act (NPA), and how does it impact facilities? In this article, we’ll introduce the Wisconsin NPA, summarize key rules that could affect a nurse’s daily practice, and list tips for facilities looking to improve regulatory compliance and care quality.

What Is the Wisconsin Nurse Practice Act?

LPNs, RNs, and APRNs practicing in Wisconsin are required to follow the laws outlined in the state’s nurse practice act. These laws establish:

Nurse Practice Act: Wisconsin Laws at a Glance

While most states enforce similar regulations for licensure qualification and renewal, each NPA specifies different rules for delegation and penalties for unprofessional conduct. The table below highlights key components unique to Wisconsin’s Nurse Practice Act.

Wisconsin State Nurse Practice Act
Legal Authorities Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 441, Subchapter I:

Wisconsin Administrative Code, Chapter N:
Wisconsin State Nursing Licensure Requirements Wisconsin RN licensure applicants must qualify by either passing the NCLEX examination or getting a license endorsed from another state.

Steps for NCLEX Exam Qualification:

  1. Graduate from a Wisconsin approved or accredited nursing education program.
  2. Submit an application with the appropriate fees.
  3. Complete a criminal background check and fingerprinting.
  4. Register for and pass the NCLEX examination.

Steps for Endorsement Qualification:

  1. Graduate from a Wisconsin BON-approved nursing education program and submit verified transcripts.
  2. Submit an application with the appropriate fees.
  3. Complete a background check and fingerprinting.
  4. Present a valid license to practice nursing in another state and submit a request for licensure verification.

Note: The board may grant a temporary practice permit for graduate nurses who are new to nursing practice and meet board specifications. This temporary permit allows supervised practice until the nurse is fully qualified. The permit is valid for up to three months and may be renewed once for an additional three months if necessary.

The Wisconsin Board of Nursing website also provides approximate timeframes for application processing and outlines the required steps to renew a nursing license.
Wisconsin Nurse Practice Act Delegation of Duties Nursing professionals are allowed to delegate to unlicensed clinicians when certain conditions are met, which include:

  • The nurse is able to provide direction and assistance during the completion of the delegated task.
  • The nurse is available to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the delegated task.
  • The unlicensed clinician has received the appropriate education and training to perform the task.

Nursing professionals are prohibited from delegating tasks in certain situations, like when tasks:

  • Are outside of the delegator’s scope of practice, knowledge, or ability.
  • Could cause direct patient harm.
  • Can’t be properly supervised or evaluated.
Penalties for NPA Violation Any violation of the following rules outlined in the Wisconsin Administrative Code, Chapter N, Section N 7.03, represents grounds for disciplinary action. These include:

  • Practicing without a legal license.
  • Practicing outside of the legal nursing scope.
  • Violating patient confidentiality and privacy.
  • Committing an act of unprofessional conduct (theft, fraud, abuse, harassment, disruptive behavior, etc.).
  • Violating principles of professional boundaries.
  • Falsifying medical documentation.
  • Practicing nursing under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • Discriminating against a fellow staff member or patient.

Any of the above violations could result in a suspended or revoked nursing license, along with fines, public reprimand, and the possibility of criminal charges.
Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) State? Wisconsin is involved in the NLC compact. Therefore, the Wisconsin NPA encompasses rules and guidelines established by the NLC.

Improving NPA Compliance: 3 Tips for Facilities

Familiarizing yourself with the Wisconsin Nurse Practice Act is the first step to ensuring regulatory compliance at your organization. Looking to incorporate these important state rules into your daily practices? Here are three ideas to get your team started.

1. Encourage Shared Governance

It’s important to remind nurses that they serve a vital role in developing your facility’s policies and procedures. By encouraging participation in shared governance councils, administrators can:

  • Boost nurse engagement, satisfaction, and retention.
  • Empower nurses to take charge of their own professional practice.
  • Establish trust between hospital executives and bedside clinicians.
  • Improve staff adherence to safety protocols.
  • Optimize patient outcomes.

2. Verify Employee Credentials

Fraudulent nursing practice can undermine your facility’s efforts to improve safety and care quality. Protect your patients from fake nurses by verifying their degree, licensure, and certification credentials upon hire. On the Nursys QuickConfirm Portal, you can quickly ensure that employee license numbers are legitimate before moving forward in the candidate selection process.

3. Provide Staff Training on the NPA

Most nurses are introduced to their scope of practice in nursing school, but few receive in-depth training on their state’s nurse practice act. Your clinicians may be wondering: What is the Wisconsin nurse scope of practice, and how does it impact the care I provide?

Help staff fully understand their duties and responsibilities by developing a Wisconsin Nurse Practice Act continuing education course. In this training, outline:

  • The differences between the APRN, RN, and LPN scope of practice.
  • Wisconsin-specific rules for delegation.
  • The steps involved in reporting suspected misconduct.

Discover More Ways to Optimize Care Quality

Now that you understand the laws outlined in the Wisconsin Nurse Practice Act, you’re probably looking for additional strategies to keep your clinical operations running smoothly. Follow along in our free healthcare newsletter for regulatory tips, resources, and guides, delivered straight to your inbox.

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.

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