Final answer:
A baccalaureate-prepared nurse does not qualify to practice as a nurse practitioner, as the role requires additional graduate-level education and certification. The nurse would be practicing beyond their scope of licensure without the proper qualifications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to this question is D) Practicing beyond his scope according to licensure. A baccalaureate-prepared nurse is a Registered Nurse (RN) who has completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. While a BSN equips nurses with comprehensive nursing education and practical experience, it does not qualify an RN to take on the role of a nurse practitioner (NP). To practice as an NP, a nurse must complete a graduate-level education, such as a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and pass a specialized certification examination relevant to the nurse practitioner's intended scope of practice.
Becoming a nurse practitioner requires additional education because NPs have a broader scope of practice, including diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications, and performing certain procedures, which are beyond the scope of practice for a baccalaureate-prepared RN.