What is the primary function of the Board of Nursing?

The primary function of the Board of Nursing is to regulate nursing practice within a state. This encompasses several key responsibilities, including the establishment of nursing standards, issuing licenses to qualified individuals, and ensuring adherence to the laws governing nursing. The Board of Nursing also has the authority to investigate complaints and take disciplinary action against nurses who violate practice standards or laws, thereby protecting public safety and ensuring that patients receive care from qualified professionals.

In contrast, setting state medical guidelines typically falls under the jurisdiction of other medical boards or health departments rather than the nursing board. Evaluating nurse competencies is an aspect of the regulatory role, but it is part of the larger function of regulating practice as a whole, which includes licensure and ongoing education requirements. While providing education to nurses is important, it is not the primary role of the Board of Nursing; rather, they may support educational efforts but do not directly provide education themselves. Thus, option C clearly aligns with the overarching goal of the Board of Nursing, which is to ensure safe and effective nursing practices through regulation and oversight.