The board derives its legal authority for regulating and enforcing regulations for nursing education, nursing practice, and continuing education for nurses under the provisions of Iowa Code chapters 17A, 147, 152 and 272C. The mission of the board is to protect the public health, safety and welfare by regulating the licensure of nurses, the practice of nurses, nursing education and continuing education. Iowa law allows the Board of Nursing to investigate licensed nurses (RN, LPN, or ARNP) for alleged wrongful behavior and grants authority to invoke appropriate disciplinary action.