Regulating Professional Practice
Compare the roles of state board of nursing with the role of professional organizations in regulating professional practice. What are the major methods of credentialing? List the benefits and weaknesses of each method from the standpoint of protecting the public and the protection of the professional scope of practice.
Include at least 3 references
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Introduction:
Regulating professional practice is an important aspect of ensuring quality healthcare services are offered to the public. This involves the establishment of guidelines, standards, and requirements that must be met by healthcare professionals. The regulation of professional practice is carried out by various bodies, including state board of nursing and professional organizations. Credentialing is also an important aspect of regulating professional practice. In this paper, we will compare the roles of state board of nursing with the role of professional organizations in regulating professional practice. Additionally, we will discuss the major methods of credentialing, their benefits, and weaknesses from the standpoint of protecting the public and the protection of the professional scope of practice.
Role of State Board of Nursing vs. Professional Organizations in Regulating Professional Practice:
State board of nursing and professional organizations play vital roles in regulating professional practice. State board of nursing is responsible for regulating the practice of nurses in the state. They ensure that nurses are appropriately licensed and adhere to state laws and regulations. On the other hand, professional organizations are meant to promote the interests of their members. They are responsible for setting professional standards for their members and ensuring that the standards are maintained.
Major Methods of Credentialing:
The major methods of credentialing include licensure, certification, and accreditation. Licensure is a method of credentialing that mandates that individuals meet certain requirements before they can practice in a particular field. Certification, on the other hand, is a voluntary process that confirms that an individual has achieved a certain level of knowledge and skills. Finally, accreditation is a method of credentialing that confirms that an organization or program meets certain professional standards.
Benefits and Weaknesses of Each Method:
Licensure ensures that professionals meet certain minimum requirements before they can practice. It helps to protect the public by ensuring that only qualified individuals practice in a particular field. However, the process of licensure can be expensive, and the requirements may not be standardized across all states.
Certification helps to ensure that professionals have achieved a certain level of knowledge and skills. It also helps professionals to improve their skills and stay up-to-date with emerging trends in their fields. However, certification is a voluntary process, and not all professionals may choose to participate.
Accreditation is a method of credentialing that confirms that an organization or program meets certain professional standards. It helps to ensure that programs are of high quality and provide adequate training for professionals. However, the process of accreditation can be time-consuming and expensive.
Conclusion:
Regulating professional practice is crucial for ensuring quality healthcare services are offered to the public. The roles of state board of nursing and professional organizations, as well as the methods of credentialing, help to ensure that professionals adhere to professional standards. Licensure, certification, and accreditation each have their benefits and weaknesses in terms of protecting the public and the protection of the professional scope of practice. As healthcare continues to evolve, it is important to continue to improve and refine methods of professional regulation and credentialing.
References:
American Nurses Association. (2015). Credentialing: Overview and benefits. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/~4af2d2/globalassets/docs/anamarketplace/credentialing.pdf
National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2015). About the NCSBN. Retrieved from https://www.ncsbn.org/About.htm
National Organization for Competency Assurance. (2011). Accreditation and certification: What is the difference? Retrieved from https://www.noca.org/accreditation-and-certification