Comparison of two APRN Board of Nursing Regulations in Indiana and Texas
All the states within the U.S. follow the Nurse Practice Act (NPA), which establishes a board of nursing with the authority to develop administrative rules or regulations to clarify or make the law more specific. Rules and regulations must be consistent with the NPA and cannot go beyond it. Safe, Competent Nursing Practice is grounded in the law as written in the state NPA and its rules (NCSBN, 2021).
Similarities
In the State of Indiana, two regulations that are required to practice as an APRN are that one is required to have an agreement with a physician or healthcare professional. An APRN is also required to submit an additional application for Controlled Substance Registration (CSR) and telemedicine (Indiana State Board of Nursing (ISBN), 2021). The agreement between the physician and APRN provides legal protection for the APRN and dictates the rights and responsibilities of each party. Also, the physician is there to provide guidance and consultation when needed by the APRN. The CSR is required for all practitioners who will be writing prescriptions for controlled substances. This is also known as a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) certificate. In the state of Texas, there are also some regulations that are similar to the state of Indiana. In Texas, the APRN is also required to have an agreement with a supervising physician. Texas also requires the APRN to register with the DEA for controlled substances (Texas Board of Nursing (TBN), 2018).
Differences
The difference between the two states is that Indiana requires an additional application for telemedicine. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many health professionals have been providing electronic consultations through telehealth. The telehealth Provider Certification is required for any practitioner to practice telehealth in Indiana. This certificate ensures that the practitioner and their employer voluntarily agree to be subject to the jurisdiction of Indiana courts and Indiana substantive and procedural laws concerning the care of an individual who is located in Indiana at the time of service (ISBN, 2021). In the state of Texas, in addition to the physician agreement, the APRN is required to have a Prescriptive Delegation registration as well. This prescriptive agreement delegates the APRN to order or prescribe drugs or devices by a physician. Also, under this agreement, the APRN and the physician must meet on a monthly basis to review prescriptive authority regardless of how long the physician has been practicing with the delegate under the agreement (TBN, 2019).
Explanation of the Legal Authority to Practice Within Full Scope of Their Education and Experience
The educational requirement is that the APRN must be a registered nurse who has experience working in the nursing profession and who has also completed a graduate program offered by a college or university accredited by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation at a minimum master’s degree level. It also is required that the APRN has completed clinical hours and passed the national certification exam. Once this has been fulfilled, the APRN can apply for licensure to practice in their state after graduation (ISBN, 2021). For the state of Texas, the APRN must be a registered nurse. The educational requirements are an advanced health assessment course, advanced pharmacotherapeutics course, advanced physiology and pathophysiology course, role preparation, clinical major courses, and practicum/preceptorship. It is also required to have completed a minimal master’s degree in the discipline of nursing. All evidence of the completed requirements must be presented (TBN, 2018).
How APRNs Adhere to Two Regulations
If an APRN would like to practice in two states, it would be beneficial for the nurse to obtain a compact license, which gives the nurse the authorization to practice in those two states. One has to make sure that the states accept compact licensure as well. For all states, it is the responsibility of the APRN to make sure that they check frequently the board of nursing for each state for any changes or updates for the APRN. For the state of Indiana, APRNs are required to obtain at least thirty hours of continuing education unit (CEUs), eight of which must be in pharmacology. For prescription authority renewal, proof of completed CEUs must be presented at the time of renewal (ISBN, 2021). For the state of Texas to maintain your APRN, who has prescription authority, you must complete five additional contact hours of continuing education in pharmacotherapeutics before the end of every licensing period. These hours are in addition to the contact hours required for all nurses, and certifications cannot be used to fulfill the requirements (TBN, 2018).
References
Indiana State Board of Nursing. (2021). PLA. https://www.in.gov/pla/professions/indian- state-board-of-nursing/
NCSBN. (2021). Nursing Regulations. https://www.ncsbn.org/boards.htm
Texas Board of Nursing. (2018). APRN Practice FAQ. https://www.bon.texas.gov/faq_practice_aprn.asp
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Question 
Post a comparison of at least two APRN boards of nursing regulations in your state/region with those of at least one other state/region. Describe how they may differ. Be specific and provide examples.
Comparison of two APRN Board of Nursing Regulations in Indiana and Texas
Then, explain how the regulations you selected may apply to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who have the legal authority to practice within the full scope of their education and experience. Provide at least one example of how APRNs may adhere to the two regulations you selected