title: Analysis of a global random stratified sample of nurse legislation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify, compare and contrast the major component parts of heterogeneous stratified sample of nursing legislation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Nursing legislation varies from one jurisdiction to another. Up until now no research exists into whether the variations of such legislation are random or if variations are related to a set of key attributes.
  
  
  METHODS
  This mixed method study used a random stratified sample of legislation to map through documentary analysis the content of 14 nursing acts and then explored, using quantitative techniques, whether the material contained relates to a number of key attributes. These attributes include: legal tradition of the jurisdiction; model of regulation; administrative approach; area of the world; and the economic status of the jurisdiction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve component parts of nursing legislation were identified. These were remarkably similar irrespective of attributes of interest. However, not all component parts were specified in the same level of detail and the manner by which the elements were addressed did vary. A number of potential relationships between the structure of the legislation and the key attributes of interest were identified.
  This study generated a comprehensive and integrated map of a global sample of nursing legislation. It provides a set of descriptors to be used to undertake further quantitative work and provides an important policy tool to facilitate dialogue between regulatory bodies. At the individual nurse level it offers insights that can help nurses pursue recognition of credentials across jurisdictions.
authors.affiliation: International Council of Nurses, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Benton
authors.affiliation: Facultad Universitaria de Enfermería, Fisioterapia y Podología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Fernández-Fernández
authors.affiliation: Facultad Universitaria de Enfermería, Fisioterapia y Podología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: González-Jurado
authors.affiliation: Facultad Universitaria de Enfermería, Fisioterapia y Podología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Beneit-Montesinos
mesh_terms: D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D007884:Legislation, Nursing
keywords: Documentary Analysis; Mixed Methods; Nurse Legislation; Regulatory Models