NURSING PRACTICE IN FLORIDA
Nursing is one of the most widely chosen careers gaining attraction with many youths who would love to see their careers in the medical field. Nursing is known to giving the student the flexibility to working in various fields as the medical profession continues to evolve with new medication constantly becoming researched.
Nursing as a career path requires skills and specialized knowledge to overcome some of the conditions. It is a very serious job description which requires serious determination and attitude in ensuring that every patient receives the best healthcare possible they can ever get.
The above career requires nurses who are prepared and competent since it poses a risk and harm to the public if done by professionals who are not prepared in taking the job as a career. Many states in the US and other countries have acts which are usually enacted by the state’s legislature. Many of these acts, however, do not provide the necessary guidance that is needed in the nursing profession and thus has a board of nursing which is equipped with the authority to developing administrative rules or regulations that are useful in making the law more specific.
Nursing practice in the state of Florida is under the standards of the Florida Administrative code which are the permanent collection of state laws that are organized by their subject are into a code which consists of titles, chapters, parts, and sections that are continuously updated. The sole legislative purpose of the Nurse Practice Act is to ensure that every nurse practicing in this state meets minimum requirements for safe practice. The above legislation ensures that nurses who fall below minimum competency or who otherwise present a danger to the public shall be prohibited from practicing in this state.
For one to practice nursing in Florida, one must seek a license from the Florida Board of Nursing that is under the jurisdiction of the Florida Department of Health. The role of the department of health outlined under the Florida State 456, Health and Professions and Occupations state that all health professions shall be regulated only for the preservation of the health, safety, and welfare of the public under the police powers of the state. The above health professions shall be regulated whenever their practice is unregulated and thus known to harm or endanger the health, safety, and public welfare.
The Florida Board of Nursing consists of 13 members who are required to residents of Florida. It is made up of 7 registered nurses who come from different diverse fields and have been in the nursing profession for at least 4 years. It should also include 3 practical nurses who 3 years of practice prior to their appointment and 3 other members who have never been licensed and are in no way connected with nursing practices. All the above members are appointed by their governor for a term of 4 years.
The Nursing Practice Act ensures that the Florida board of nursing make and enforce rules and regulations for registered nurses, certified nurses, practical nurses, certified nurse-midwives, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, registered nurse first assistants, and certified registered nurse anesthetists. The work of the Board of Nurse is to ensure that it monitors, licenses, disciplines, educates, and rehabilitates its licensees to assure their fitness and competence in providing healthcare services for the people of Florida.
Some of the specialties that Florida nurses can take include:
1.Legal Nurse Consultant Who are qualified registered nurses who use the skills and experience together with the expertise to consult on medical lawsuits
2.Certified Dialysis Nurse Are nurses who assist patients and individuals that have severe problems relating to their kidneys.
3.Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Assist in determining the health status of the patient as it relates to the risk factors and to the anesthetic management of the patient when in surgery.
4.Licensed Nurse practitioner Whose job description involves offering primary and secondary care to patients often in collaboration with a doctor.
