This paper compares the Nevada Nurse Practice Act and the Indiana State Board of Nursing Licensure Statutes and Administrative Rules across five key areas: board membership and governance, licensure requirements, nurse classification distinctions, school accreditation processes, and disciplinary procedures. While both states share foundational similarities — including governor-appointed boards, comparable licensure criteria, and parallel disciplinary frameworks — notable differences exist in board size, term limits, meeting frequency, and specific membership requirements. The paper draws directly on the statutory language of both documents to highlight how each state structures its nursing regulatory environment.
The Nevada Nurse Practice Act is similar to the Indiana State Board of Nursing rules in that both documents cover definitions of key terms — such as "Board of Nurses," "advanced practitioner," and "accredited school" — to remove ambiguity in their application. In addition to defining terms clearly, both documents outline provisions for nurse practitioners and registered nurses.
The Indiana State Board of Nursing oversees nurse licensing, including issues related to education, and outlines the role of continuing education in the nursing profession. Its Licensure and Administrative Rules include an administrative code for both registered and licensed practical nurses. Ancillary practices and areas of specialization — such as nurse-midwifery — are also addressed.
The number of members on the Indiana State Board of Nursing is covered in IC 25-23-1-2, which addresses membership selection procedures. The State Board of Nursing consists of nine members appointed by the governor, each serving a term of four years, subject to death, resignation, or removal by the governor. Six of the nine members are required to be registered nurses "who are committed to advancing and safeguarding the nursing profession as a whole" (IC 25-23-1-2). Two of the nine members must be licensed practical nurses, while one member must have no professional affiliation with nursing and represents the interests of the general public. Vacancies are filled by the governor for the remainder of the term. No one may serve more than six consecutive years, though reappointment is permissible after a gap of at least three years.
Likewise, the Nevada Nurse Practice Act covers the number of members on the Nevada Board of Nursing. As in Indiana, the governor appoints board members; however, Nevada's board has only seven members. While Indiana requires six of nine members to be registered nurses and two to be licensed practical nurses, Nevada requires only three registered nurses, one practical nurse, and one member of the general public who has no affiliation with nursing — including by family ties. Nevada also imposes strict residency requirements: members must have lived in Nevada for a minimum of two years and must be United States citizens.
When a vacancy occurs on the Nevada Board, the governor must make a new appointment within 60 days. Each member serves a four-year term — the same as in Indiana — but term limits are stricter in Nevada, where no member may serve more than two consecutive terms. In Indiana, members may serve up to three terms (six years total).
Members of the Nevada State Board are required to meet at least three times per year at approximately four-month intervals, though special interim meetings may be called. Members of the Indiana State Board of Nursing are only required to meet once per year, as outlined in IC 25-23-1-5. Unlike their Nevada counterparts, Indiana board members must elect their own president, vice president, and secretary.
In Nevada, a yearly examination is required of all board members. One of the board's duties is to appoint an Advisory Committee on Nursing Assistants and Medication Aides, which must have eleven members in total. The Nevada Board may also create other committees as it sees fit, but the Advisory Committee on Nursing Assistants and Medication Aides is the most prominent. Nevada board members may not earn more than $150 for their services to the state, as outlined in NRS 632.080. The Indiana State Board of Nursing also permits ad hoc committees but does not mandate the creation of any specific committee.
In addition to their governance duties, members of the Nevada State Board establish regulations for the profession, prepare examinations, investigate and verify applicant qualifications, and set fee schedules for licensure. The Indiana State Board of Nursing carries out similar duties with respect to setting standards for nurse education and licensure and ensuring that all new applicants have been properly cleared.
Licensure for registered nurses in Indiana is outlined in the Indiana State Board of Nursing Licensure Statutes and Administrative Rules. The registered nurse must have a clean criminal record that does not directly bear on the profession, and must have completed the basic education requirements outlined by the board in accordance with state education rules. Physical and mental qualifications are also required. A bachelor's degree is not a prerequisite for licensure in Indiana. Guidelines for licensed practical nurses are similarly outlined in the same document; while the general qualifications are comparable, the examinations and educational requirements differ.
In Nevada, "moral character" is added to the list of physical and mental health characteristics required for licensure (NRS 632.140). Accredited schooling requirements are listed in a manner similar to Indiana's. Both the Nevada and Indiana State Boards of Nursing outline requirements for Advanced Practice Nurses, particularly in terms of areas of specialization and the responsibilities associated with drug administration. Overall, the requirements for receiving a nursing license are similar in the two states.
"Distinguishes LPN, RN, and Advanced Practice Nurse roles"
"Details nursing program approval and curriculum oversight"
"Covers complaints, hearings, and license revocation processes"
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