How does the Texas BON differentiate between practice and education?

The Texas Board of Nursing differentiates between practice and education by defining practice as the application of nursing knowledge in real-world healthcare settings. This encompasses the various roles and responsibilities nurses take on while providing care to patients, applying theoretical knowledge to practical situations, making clinical judgments, and implementing interventions based on their training.

In this context, practice is fundamentally about the enactment of skills and knowledge acquired through education, but with a focus on patient outcomes and safety. Nurses utilize their education to inform their practice, but the two concepts serve distinct purposes: education prepares individuals to enter the profession, while practice is about executing that knowledge in a clinical environment. Therefore, understanding this distinction is crucial for nurses to navigate their responsibilities effectively and adhere to the standards set forth by the Texas BON.