The
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is a not-for-profit organization that brings together the boards of nursing from all U.S. states and territories. Established in 1978, its primary mission is to ensure public protection by providing leadership to advance regulatory excellence in nursing.
The NCSBN has several vital functions that serve both the public and the nursing profession. These include:
The
National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a standardized exam that each state board of nursing uses to determine if a candidate is prepared for entry-level nursing practice. There are two types of NCLEX exams: the NCLEX-RN for registered nurses and the NCLEX-PN for practical or vocational nurses. Passing this exam is a requirement for obtaining a nursing license in the United States.
The NCSBN plays a crucial role in shaping
nursing education by setting standards for nursing licensure and developing
educational resources for nursing schools. They provide guidelines on curriculum development and clinical practice to ensure that nursing programs adequately prepare students for the NCLEX exams and professional practice.
State boards of nursing are members of the NCSBN, and they collaborate closely with the organization. Each state board is responsible for
licensing and regulating nurses within its jurisdiction, and they use the NCSBN's resources and guidelines to inform their policies and procedures. This ensures a standardized approach to nursing regulation across the country.
The NCSBN offers a variety of
resources to nurses, including:
One of the NCSBN's primary missions is to ensure
patient safety. They accomplish this through rigorous standards for nurse licensure, ongoing research into best practices, and the development of policies that promote safe nursing practice. By maintaining high standards for entry into the profession and ongoing practice, the NCSBN helps protect the public from unsafe and incompetent nursing care.
The NCSBN conducts and supports
research to advance the science of nursing regulation and practice. Their research initiatives focus on various aspects of nursing, including the effectiveness of regulatory policies, workforce issues, and patient outcomes. This research helps inform evidence-based practices and policies that improve nursing care and ensure public safety.
Nurses can get involved with the NCSBN by participating in
committees and task forces, contributing to research studies, and attending conferences and webinars. These opportunities allow nurses to contribute to the development of nursing regulation and practice policies, stay informed about the latest developments in the field, and network with other nursing professionals.
