It is a nurse’s responsibility to be informed on both the Nurse Practice Acts (NPAs) and Common Law for the state(s) in which he or she is licensed to practice. It is critical for students and nurses to be aware of the legal issues pertaining to the profession. Familiarity with the law and relevant court rulings helps in understanding the scope of practice and responsibilities that come with being a licensed caregiver, as well as providing insight on how to prevent legal problems before they happen.

Source: Stressed Out: About Nursing School, HCPro, Inc., 2006. For more information on our series of Stressed Out books, visit www.stressedoutnurses.com