Scope and Standards of Practice Notes

Standards of Professional Practice

  • Specific to nursing practice.
  • Establish expectations for professional behavior.
  • Hold nurses accountable for a code of conduct and ethical values.

Standards of Practice

  • General standards apply to all nurses and specific standards exist for nursing specialties.

American Nurses Association (ANA)

  • Establishes standards for nursing practice and professional performance.

Nursing Process

  • Standards of practice align with the nursing process.
  • 5 steps: Assessment, Analysis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation.

State Nurse Practice Acts (NPAs)

  • Regulate nursing within each state.
  • Executed by state boards of nursing (BON).
  • Identify licensure requirements, nursing titles (RN, LPN, LVN, APN), and scope of practice.

Defining Scope of Practice

  • State legislature passes NPA.
  • BON enforces regulations.

Regulation of Nursing Education

  • Nursing programs must be approved by the state BON.
  • Accreditation is granted by ACEN or CCNE.

Quality and Safety Education for Nursing (QSEN)

  • Aims to improve quality and safety in nursing.
  • Six core competencies: Patient-centered care, Teamwork and collaboration, Evidence-based practice (EBP), Quality improvement (QI), Safety, Informatics.

National League for Nursing (NLN)

  • Fosters excellence in nursing education.
  • Four competencies: Human flourishing, Nursing judgment, Professional identity, Spirit of inquiry.

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) BSN Essentials

  • AACN represents baccalaureate, graduate, and postgraduate nursing schools.
  • Nine essentials outline curriculum content and competencies for BSN graduates.

The AACN BSN Essentials

  • Liberal Education for Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice
  • Basic Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Care and Patient Safety
  • Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice
  • Information Management and Application of Patient Care Technology
  • Healthcare Policy, Finance, and Regulatory Environments
  • Interprofessional Communication and Collaboration for Improving Patient Health Outcomes
  • Clinical Prevention and Population Health
  • Professionalism and Professional Values
  • Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice

Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPN/LVN)

  • NAPNES sets standards for LPN/LVN education.
  • Competencies cover professional behaviors, communication, assessment, planning, and caring interventions.

Nursing Licensure

  • States protect clients by requiring nurse licensure.
  • Periodic renewal is needed.
  • Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows practice in home and compact states with one license.

National Certification in Specialty Practice

  • Nurses can demonstrate proficiency through certificate programs or certification in a specialty area.

Credentialing

  • Confirms an individual’s abilities to practice as a health professional based on completing a program and demonstrating competencies.