R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-34-1: Legislative intent.

The legislature of the state, in order to safeguard life, health, property, and the public welfare of the people of this state and, in order to protect the people of the state from the unauthorized, unqualified, and improper application of services by individuals in the practice of nursing, declares it a policy to continue to adequately provide for state regulatory authority for nursing. The legislature further declares it is the policy of the state that state regulatory authority for nursing has the power to enforce the provisions of this chapter. Any person who practices or offers to practice nursing or who represents oneself as a licensed professional or practical nurse without qualifying under the provisions of this chapter endangers the public health.