Nursing Practice Act (NPA) Texas
If you have questions or concerns about potential violations of the Nursing Practice Act, call to schedule a free consultation with a nurses attorney, (512) 829-5619. Note that the free consultation is ONLY for professional licensing matters.
Nursing Practice Acts (NPAs) are designed to ensure safe and competent nursing practice. The right to practice nursing is granted and regulated by individual states, including Texas. While Nursing Practice Acts vary from state to state, they will include requirements for licensure, standards and scope of practice for nurses, and grounds for disciplinary action.
The NPA is a law that was enacted by the Texas legislature and is enforced by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON).
The NPA is thought to also include the many administrative regulations put into effect by the Board of Nursing.
In Texas, the board of nursing has the power to:
- grant and renew nursing licenses
- develop practice standards for nursing
- write rules and policies for nurses
- discipline nurses for violations of the NPA
The most common types of Nursing Practice Act violations include:
- nursing practice errors
- substance abuse issues (including DUI and DWI)
- violation of professional boundaries (including sexual misconduct)
- fraud, dishonesty, or deceit
- criminal arrests
- nursing malpractice (including; abuse, abandonment, and unprofessional conduct)
The board of nursing imposes different levels of disciplinary sanctions – ranging from a reprimand or probation to license suspension or revocation – based on the severity of the Nursing Practice Act violation.
As a nurse, it is your duty to understand the Nursing Practice Act and the standards set by the board of nursing and to follow them.
For more information about the Nursing Practice Act (NPA), or to schedule a free consultation with a nurses attorney, call (512) 829-5619, or e-mail contact@nursesattorneytexas.com. Note that the free consultation is ONLY for professional licensing matters.
Please note: Kevin Keaney is licensed to practice in Texas, Oregon, and Washington. He has more than 30 years experience as an attorney. Prior to becoming an attorney, he earned his BSN from the University of Texas Austin and practiced as a nurse for four years. Kevin is a member of The American Association of Nurse Attorneys.
Located in the Austin area, our law firm helps nurses from all across Texas, including: El Paso, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Amarillo, and Lubbock.