Which entity publishes the Model Nurse Practice Act?

The Model Nurse Practice Act is published by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). This document serves as a foundational guideline to help state boards develop their nursing practice acts, which govern the practice of nursing within their respective states. The NCSBN focuses on ensuring that the practice acts address public safety, licensure, and the scope of practice for nurses.

The importance of the Model Nurse Practice Act lies in its role in establishing standards that help maintain the quality of nursing care across the country, providing a framework that individual states can adapt according to their specific needs and laws. As such, the act supports uniformity in nursing regulation, ensuring that nurses are qualified and competent to deliver safe patient care.

While the American Nurses Association, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing play significant roles in nursing, education, and healthcare policy, they do not produce the Model Nurse Practice Act. Each of these organizations has its focus areas but does not directly oversee the establishment of legal frameworks governing nursing practice, as the NCSBN does.