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LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse): LPNs complete a practical/vocational program and provide basic nursing care under RN supervision; they are not eligible for advanced practice roles.

ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing): ADN-prepared RNs can provide comprehensive care but cannot practice as APRNs without graduate education.

BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing): A BSN offers broader nursing knowledge and leadership skills but is still entry-level professional nursing; advanced practice requires further study.

Promoting health: While teaching about smoking could support overall wellness, the focus here is on preventing disease before it occurs, not enhancing an existing state of health.

Restoring health: Restoring health applies to interventions that return someone to baseline after illness or injury has already occurred.

Facilitating coping with disability or death: This aim focuses on helping patients and families adapt to chronic conditions or terminal illness, which is not the case here.

The skilled application of knowledge: This describes the art of nursing rather than its science. It’s about how nurses creatively and skillfully use knowledge in practice, but it does not define the actual scientific knowledge base itself.

Hands-on care, such as giving a bath: Hands-on care is an example of a nursing skill, but it does not represent the science of nursing. Without understanding the why behind the care, the action is mechanical rather than scientifically informed.

Respect for each individual patient: Respect for patients reflects nursing’s ethical principles and the art of caring, not the science. While essential to holistic care, it does not define the scientific foundation of nursing practice.

Clinical nurse specialist: A CNS is an advanced-practice clinician who provides expert consultation, implements evidence-based practice, leads quality improvement, and often evaluates outcomes.

Nurse administrator: Administrators focus on leadership, staffing, budgeting, policy, and system-level management. They may respond to trends (e.g., more pressure injuries) by changing resources or policies, but they do not typically design and carry out comparative research studies.

Nurse educator: Educators design and deliver learning (orientation, in-service, curricula) and may teach staff how to use an assessment tool.

Guarantees safe nursing care for all patients: The exam does not guarantee safe care - it ensures that the nurse has the minimum knowledge required. Safe care depends on many other factors, including continuing education, workplace environment, and experience.

Ensures standard nursing care for all patients: The exam ensures standard knowledge, not necessarily standardized care, which can vary depending on facility protocols, patient needs, and geographic location.

Guarantees standardized education across all prelicensure programs: The NCLEX-RN is independent of nursing education programs. Educational standards vary by school and state; the NCLEX only verifies whether graduates meet the minimum threshold for safe practice.

Health care facility: While healthcare facilities establish internal policies and procedures, they do not have the legal authority to administer or enforce Nurse Practice Acts. Their rules must align with state laws but are not a substitute for them.

School of nursing provide education and training aligned with the NPA but do not administer or regulate the act itself. They help prepare students to meet licensure requirements as set by the state.

Licensing bureau: The authority over the NPA is not a generic licensing office but a nursing-specific board governed by each state.