Forensic nurses must understand the regulatory framework governing their practice.
Nurse Practice Acts
Each state has a Nurse Practice Act that:
- Defines the scope of nursing practice in that state
- Establishes requirements for licensure
- Defines grounds for disciplinary action
- Creates the Board of Nursing to enforce regulations
Key point: Forensic nurses must practice within their state’s Nurse Practice Act, even when performing specialized forensic functions.
Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)
- What it is: An agreement among participating states that allows nurses to have one multistate license
- How it works: Nurses with a multistate license can practice in their home state and other compact states without obtaining additional licenses
- Relevance: Telehealth/telenursing and forensic nurses who provide services across state lines benefit from compact licensure
ANA Code of Ethics
The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics with Interpretive Statements provides ethical guidance for all nursing practice. Key principles include:
- Respect for human dignity and patient autonomy
- Commitment to the patient as primary
- Protection of patient rights, health, and safety
- Responsibility for individual nursing practice
- Duty to maintain competence
- Contribution to the profession