Title: Registered Nurse Standards for Practice
Author: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
About
The professional standards document was issued on 1 June 2016 by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). It outlines the standards for registered nurse (RN) practice in Australia, providing a framework for RNs to deliver person-centred and evidence-based care.
The standards encompass a range of practices including preventative, curative, supportive, restorative, and palliative care.
The standards guide RNs in professional relationships, continuous thinking, and analysis in nursing practice. They cover comprehensive assessment, care planning, quality care provision, and evaluation of outcomes. These standards are essential for RNs in all practice areas, reinforcing their accountability and responsibility in different healthcare settings.
Author
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) is the regulatory authority for nurses and midwives in Australia. Its role includes setting standards, codes, and guidelines for the nursing and midwifery professions. The NMBA aims to protect public health and safety by ensuring nurses and midwives provide safe and competent care. It also focuses on maintaining high standards of education, conduct, and performance within these professions.
Key Takeaways
- RNs must deliver care that is person-centred, evidence-based, and culturally sensitive.
- RNs are accountable for professional relationships and continuous improvement in practice.
- The standards require RNs to perform comprehensive assessments and develop effective care plans.
- RNs must evaluate and adapt their practices to ensure quality care outcomes.
Role of a Registered Nurse
The NMBA outlines the Registered Nurse Standards for Practice, which include seven key areas: critical thinking; engaging in therapeutic relationships; maintaining practice capability; conducting comprehensive assessments; developing nursing plans; providing quality care; and evaluating outcomes. The standards highlight the need for RNs to adapt and evaluate their practice to meet the changing health needs of the community.
These standards guide the conduct of nurses and are used to assess their performance. They ensure RNs use critical thinking and evidence-based approaches in their practice. RNs are also responsible for establishing and maintaining professional relationships, continuously developing their professional skills, and ensuring safe and quality nursing practice.
Related: What Is a Registered Nurse in Australia?
Relationship Between RNs and ENs
Enrolled nurses (ENs) in Australia operate under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs), providing nursing care and bearing accountability for their own practice. However, they rely on RNs for guidance on delegated tasks. The delegation between RNs and ENs is a mutual responsibility, with an emphasis on assessing risk and the EN's capability to perform the delegated tasks. In some cases, this might involve preparatory teaching and assessment of competence.
RNs are responsible for ensuring that the nursing practice provided is comprehensive, safe, and of high quality. They practice within their scope and delegate aspects of practice to ENs or other healthcare workers, as appropriate. RNs are tasked with offering effective and timely direction and supervision to guarantee that any delegated practice is performed safely and correctly.
The RN holds ultimate accountability for the decision to delegate, for monitoring the delegated tasks, and for evaluating the outcomes. Delegations are made to meet patient needs and to facilitate access to healthcare services, ensuring the most suitable person delivers the right service at the right time.
Related: How to Become an Enrolled Nurse (EN)
How Education Can Expand Scope of Practice
Education significantly expands a nurse's scope of practice. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia states, "Scope of practice is that in which nurses are educated, competent to perform and permitted by law". Advanced education like a Master's degree equips nurses with deeper knowledge and skills, enabling them to undertake complex and specialised tasks.
Higher education also builds competence and confidence, essential for expanding practice scope. "The actual scope of practice is influenced by... the level of competence and confidence of the nurse," as per the Board's standards. This enhanced competence allows nurses to take on more challenging roles, broadening their professional capabilities.
Additionally, education helps nurses adapt to evolving healthcare needs and policies. The Board notes that scope of practice is influenced by "the context in which the nurse practises [and] the health needs of people". Advanced education keeps nurses abreast of the latest developments, aligning their skills with current and future healthcare demands.