RN Scope of Practice - Registered Nurse Duties and Responsibilities

The RN scope of practice can be very broad, andstandard for nursing?
can vary from state to state and from institution toIf a nurse is still unsure after asking the appropriate
institution. Each state has laws regarding what isquestions whether a particular task falls under their
appropriate for different types of nursingarea of practice, they can request verification from
professionals to do.their state nursing board as to whether or not a
Individual institutions also have policy manuals thatparticular task falls under their responsibility.
describe the scope of practice for the differentThe RN duties usually includes things such as
types of medical and nursing professionals that workassessing the health of individuals and coming up with
there, which may be more restrictive than those ofappropriate nursing health plans to meet any health
the state.care needs that have been identified. RNs usually
Many states have a list of questions that an RNwork with other health care professionals and
should ask his or herself to determine whetherphysicians to provide appropriate health care and
something is within the RN scope of practice whereeducation to individuals under their care.
they work.As different states have different regulations, it is
Some of the common questions that are used toimportant to check with the nursing laws in the state
determine whether something is included within anwhere a nurse is practicing to figure out exactly what
RN's job include:is and is not within an RN's area or responsibility.
1) Is this specifically prohibited by the nurse practiceMany questions can be answered just by checking
act of the state where the nurse is practicing?out the appropriate rules and regulations. Institutions
2) Is the skill something you were taught to do inwhere nurses work also have rules about what they
your basic nursing education, or in any continuingconsider the RN scope of practice in their institution,
education program that you have completed whichand some may require physician supervision in areas
included clinical training?where others might not. It is important for each
3) Is this procedure listed in the policy manuals fornurse to be sure of what falls within their duties and
the institution where your work?responsibilities so that they only do what is
4) Does this task pass the "Prudent and Reasonable"considered appropriate for them.