Scope Of Practice For Nurses

The NLC provides a “mutual recognition model of nurse licensure that allows a nurse to have one license… and to practice in other states… subject to each state’s practice law and regulation” (Litchfield, 2010, p.1). In order to have a multistate license a nurse must have primary residence in an NLC participating state, have licensure as a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse/Vocational Nurse in good standing, and meet all the states requirements of licensing (NCSBN, n.d.a). When practicing in states other than the nurse’s primary residence, even though it may be a compact states, the nurse must adhere to each individual states practice law and regulation. That means that the nurse must know and adhere to each individual states Nurse Practice Act (NPA) to be sure to practice under its parameters which have the “full force and effect of the law” (NCBSN, n.d.b). The NPA establishes a Board of Nursing, education standards, scope of nursing practice, titles and licensure, requirements for licensure, and grounds for disciplinary actions (NCSBN, n.d.b).

In this paper I will be informing on the scope of practice or the job description for a licensed practical nurse which includes medication administration and documentation just to name a few. I will also be discussing the future problems in in which licensed practical nurses with have to deal with in practice. And certifications that licensed practical nurses are able to obtain.

Nursing practice is controlled by the individual, state’s Board of Nursing, which oversees and defines the nurses’ scope of practice; hence, ensures that nursing practice is guided by the nurse practice act of that state. Legislation also influences nursing practice, with technology facilitating new break-through in scientific research; the need for changes and or advances in healthcare are detrimental to new and improved regulations within the individual states or at a national level. Additionally, private and or public corporations also affect the practice of nursing in different ways; the policies and funding within these entities may limit the resources

This document contains information about scope of practice* for registered nurses (includes licensed graduate nurses) and nurse practitioners in British Columbia. It also includes important information for registered nurses related to scope of practice that is established by the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (CRNBC). The scope of practice for registered nurses and nurse practitioners in British Columbia is set out in the Nurses (Registered) and Nurse Practitioners Regulation under the Health Professions Act. Additional scope of practice information is

This statement clearly defines the scope of practice of a nurse. But in the field of nursing there are several kinds of care givers. It includes registered nurses, midwives, licensed practitioner nurses, enrolled nurses and nurse assistants. The scopes of practice for these care givers are not so common. The scope of practice depends on their education qualification and experience which are well defined by the governing bodies. Some areas in the scope of practice of a nurse according to Queensland nursing council are,

Nurse Practice Act varies from state to state. Each state has different practices that one must

The association endeavors to enhance high standards of nursing practice by promoting safety and ethical decision making. The association represent nurses in lobbying regulatory agencies on issues related to policy and legal development. The association is involved in establishing the standards of nursing practice. It disseminates information to nurses though workshops, conferences and publications. The association publishes, American Nurse Today, The American Nurse, and The Online Journal of Issues in

Scope of practice is defined as the actions, tasks, procedures, etc that are permitted by law for a specific profession. The scope of practice in nursing "outlines restrictions to what the law permits, based on education, training and experience qualifications" (Anderson, 2013). The Boards of Nursing in the United States, for example the California Board of Registered Nursing, where I practice, has defined the scope of nursing practice in the California Nursing Practice Act.

American Nurses Association (ANA) Standards of Professional Performance explains how all registered nurses do their work and activities consistently according to their professions that promote the wellbeing of their patients and communities (ANA, 2010a). The standards provide a mechanism to patients that they are been taken good care of and that the nurses know exactly what to do so as to provide high-quality care and the measures are in place to determine whether nursing care meets the standards. These activities are related to performance like ethics, quality of practice, education, communication, resources, leadership, environmental health, professional practice evaluation, and evidence-based practice and research. Registered nurses are responsible for their professional actions to themselves, their patients, their peers, and the community at large.

The scope of practice changes from state to state and it is good that we have the Nurse Practice Act of the state that we practice at the tip of our fingers because these laws are written by the board of that state to implement the standards of practice that is required. Further more, Federal too have their laws

The American Nurses Association (ANA) established The Standards of Professional Nursing Practice (2010). The Standards of Professional Nursing Practice consists of Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional Performance. The standards serve as guidelines to define the profession of nursing and define the scope of practice for professional nurses. All standards presented in the The Standards of Professional Nursing Practice (2010) are essential for the nursing professional to function, legally, ethically and professionally in the healthcare organization.

The Principles of Nursing Practice were issued by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in 2010, eight months following the first Francis Inquiry into poor quality care in the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. The principles identify and characterise the essential nursing behaviour and competencies which make safe and effective nursing care achievable. Eight Principles are prioritised. The Principles serve not only as a model for nurses to abide by in their daily practice but as a Charter for patients, their families and carers to help them judge the standard of care received.

Nursing practice is also one of the key messages addressed in the IOM report. The report suggests that “nurses should practice to full extent of their education and training”. Furthermore, “nurses should be full partners with physicians and other health professionals, in redesigning health care in the United States. This report has a great impact on nursing practice. The IOM report suggests that greater focus on managing the transition from nursing to practice. It recommends that regulatory reforms must be made to allow nurses to expand their scope of practice (IOM report, 2010).

Professional nurses encounter a variety of legal ethical and bioethical issues on a daily basis. For this reason, it is essential that all nurses are aware of current state and national legislation, acts and guidelines and the implications of these for nursing practices as well as legal processes, principles of open disclosure and the role of a coroner in the health sector. In this way, nurses can adhere to the overarching guidelines for practice as well as working within the code of conduct, competency standards and scope of practice. This paper will provide an overview of legal and ethical parameters of professional nursing practice.

When the purpose is to improve practice, nurses must give special consideration to questions such as these: