The RN jurisprudence information is divided into three (3) categories: Regulatory Policies, relevant Federal Legislation, and relevant Provincial Legislation. Within each of these categories is a list of policies and/or legislation to be aware of for safe nursing practice. To guide your study, each section includes a list of competencies, objectives, a synopsis of information and links to relevant resources. This study guide is specific to regulatory policies.
Competencies and Objectives (2 competencies)
Demonstrate leadership in the coordination of health care
Objectives – the registered nurse will:
- Exercise professional judgment when assigning interventions to other members of the health care team(e.g. RNs, LPNs and CCAs)
- Exercises professional judgment when delegating to unregulated healthcare providers
Practise in a manner consistent with assignment/delegation accountabilities
Objectives – the registered nurse will:
- Accept accountability for own actions and decisions when assigning
- Employ the decision-making factors specific to assignment as outlined within the decision-makingframework for assignment
- Accept accountability for own actions and decisions when delegating
- Employ the decision-making factors specific to delegation as outlined within the decision-makingframework for delegation
Synopsis of Information
RNs have responsibilities and accountabilities requiring them to know the processes involved for assignment and delegation. It is especially important as assigning and delegating to unregulated healthcare providers is becoming an increasing part of nursing practice in Nova Scotia.
Assignment means the allocation of clients or client care responsibilities or interventions that are within the care provider’s scope of practice and/or scope of employment.
Decisions about assignment are evaluated and adjusted as the healthcare team works together to meet the changing needs of clients. Registered nurses determine assignments according to the:
- client’s condition (complexity, variability and acuity)
- scope of practice of the health provider’s profession
- individual scope/competence of the individual performing the intervention
- scope of employment/agency policy
- context of practice.
Delegation means transferring the responsibility to perform a function or intervention to a care provider who would not otherwise have the authority to perform it. Registered nurses delegate health care activities to unregulated health care providers consistent with levels of expertise, education, job description/agency policy, legislation and person needs. Unregulated healthcare providers may include continuing care assistants (CCAs), youth health workers (YHW), personal care workers (PCWs), home support workers (HSWs), care team assistants (CTAs), orderlies, and others.
RNs do not delegate to LPNs. The knowledge that differentiates an RN’s practice from an LPN’s practice cannot be delegated away. RNs are accountable for the overall development and coordination of the nursing plan of care whereas, the LPN and other care providers contribute to the nursing care plan. Knowledge and the decision-making used to determine that care (i.e., the assessment, evaluation, and judgment of the RN) cannot be delegated.
Delegation does not involve transferring accountability for the outcome of the function or intervention although the delegated provider is responsible to successfully perform the intervention or task. Delegation is client specific, meaning that the delegation applies only to a designated client.
When delegating, the registered nurse is accountable for:
- assessing the client’s needs to inform the appropriateness of delegation
- the decision to delegate and to whom
- determining if the individual is competent to perform the delegated intervention
- supervision; and
- evaluating the overall outcome
The unregulated healthcare professional is accountable for:
- having sufficient knowledge, skills and judgement to accept the delegation
- refusing to accept delegation for those acts which s/he is not competent
- following agency policy and procedure
- performing the intervention safely, effectively and ethically
- documenting the care provided as per agency policy
- reporting observations and client information to the registered nurse
The employer is accountable and responsible for:
- providing adequate staff
- education processes to establish competence
- written policies and procedures related to delegation
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Competencies and Objectives (1 competency)
Identify the governance process as outlined in the College By-Laws as approved by the Board
Objectives – the registered nurse will:
- Identify the composition of the Board
- Define the term voting body as it applies to the role of a registered nurse attending an Annual Meeting
Synopsis of Information
The Board consists of a minimum of eight persons where public representatives comprise not less than one-third and not more than one-half of the board composition. Vacancies on the Board will be filled as set out in the Bylaws.
Verified voting delegates (voting body) include those registrants who are not College employees, Board members or scrutineers, who hold practicing licenses and have registered to vote prior to a poll taken at the commencement of a relevant meeting.
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Competencies and Objectives (2 competencies)
Exercise professional judgment when following agency policy on registered nursing accepting delegated functions from other regulated health professionals
Objectives – the registered nurse will:
- Define the term delegated functions
- Identify factors to consider when determining the appropriate provider to perform delegated functions
- Identify RN accountabilities when performing delegated functions
- Recognize approval processes for delegated functions
Exercise professional judgment when following agency policy related to direct orders, preprinted orders and care directives
Objectives – the registered nurse will:
- Define the terms direct order, pre-printed order and care directive
- Identify authorized prescribers in Nova Scotia
Synopsis of Information
Delegation is an active process whereby the responsibility for the performance of an intervention is transferred to an individual (delegatee) whose scope of practice or employment does not authorize the performance of that intervention.
Education of the delegatee is always required for delegation because the intervention is not within their scope of practice or employment. The nurse is accountable for identifying the need to delegate, the decision to delegate (or not to delegate) and the evaluation of the outcome of the delegated task. Nurses are accountable to verify the competence of the Unregulated Care Provider (UCP) accepting the delegation. The UCP is accountable to maintain their individual competence so they may safely perform the intervention.
Delegated functions should be consistent and in the best interest of clients, appropriate for the practice environment, promote the optimal application of the competencies of all members of the healthcare team and cannot contravene existing laws or accepted standards of practice.
Agency policies should be in place to support the implementation of delegated functions including provisions for resources required by healthcare practitioners to acquire and maintain required levels of competence.
Client factors, context of practice and provider competencies are considered when determining the appropriate healthcare provider to perform a particular delegated function.
Registered nurses who perform delegated functions in their practice are accountable for:
- assessing the client to determine the appropriateness of the delegated function
- knowing the risks and outcomes the delegated function
- attaining and maintaining the competence required
- knowing who to contact for support if needed
A direct order is a specific intervention written by a prescriber for an individual client.
Pre-printed orders are specific to a client and their health condition. The client is first assessed by the authorized prescriber who then selects the appropriate interventions from a set of pre-printed orders.
A care directive is an order written by an authorized prescriber for an intervention or series of interventions to be implemented by another care provider (e.g., registered nurse) for a range of clients with identified health conditions, only when specific circumstances exist. A care directive is not an intervention that is delegated, but is an intervention that is within the RN scope of practice (e.g., medication administration). An authorized prescriber must always be available when a care directive is performed.
Authorized prescribers in Nova Scotia include nurse practitioners, registered nurse authorized prescribers, physicians, dentists, midwifes, optometrists, pharmacists, and veterinarians.
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Competencies and Objectives (1 competency)
Practise in a manner consistent with College regulatory policies related to duty to provide care.
Objectives – the registered nurse will:
- Define ‘Duty of Care’, ‘Duty to Provide Care’ and abandonment
- Exercise professional judgment resulting in flexible decision-making in the provision of care during emergency situations
- Explain the duty of the RN to provide care during Emergency Department closures
- Explain the duty of the RN to provide care when asked to work in an unfamiliar client care environment
Synopsis of Information
Duty of care is “a moral or legal obligation to ensure the safety or well-being of others” (Oxford Dictionary 2016).
Duty to provide care is defined as a registered nurse’s obligation to provide safe, competent and ethical care to their clients, in accordance with College Standards of Practice for Registered Nurses, regulatory policy, CNA Code of Ethics, and relevant legislation.
An unreasonable burden may occur in relation to the duty to provide care and withdrawing from providing or refusing to provide care (CNA Code of Ethics, 2017). An unreasonable burden may exist when a nurse’s ability to provide safe care and meet professional standards of practice is compromised by unreasonable expectations, lack of resources, or ongoing threats to personal wellbeing.
Abandonment
Abandonment occurs when a registered nurse discontinues the nurse-client relationship without taking at least one of the following three actions:
- arranging for suitable alternative or replacement services and ensuring their arrival, where the failure to do so would place the patient at risk; or
- allowing the employer (who may be the client) a reasonable opportunity to arrange alternative or replacement services to be provided; or
- if self-employed, obtaining the consent of the client, except where the client is unable to appreciate the consequences of their decision and remains at risk.
In addition, the registered nurse must provide an appropriate report and/or ensure that necessary documents are completed and communicated when care is transferred to another provider.
If registered nurses determine they do not have the necessary competencies or physical, psychological or emotional well-being to provide safe and competent care, they may withdraw from the provision of care or refuse to provide care if they have given reasonable notice to their employer and appropriate action has been taken to replace them or resolve the issue.
A nurse who is considering refusing to provide care on the basis of a risk to their own health should be aware of the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act that govern refusals to work and should consider seeking assistance from a union representative or the Canadian Nurses Protective Society.
Emergency Situations
While there is an expectation that registered nurses will provide care to the sick and absorb a certain amount of risk in doing so, there is not an expectation that registered nurses will place themselves at unnecessary risk during an emergency. There are situations in which it may be acceptable for registered nurses to withdraw or refuse care.
Emergency Department Closure
RNs have a duty to provide care when a client arrives at an emergency department that is closed due to lack of physician coverage. If a more skilled individual is not available to provide the client with care, and if not providing care would lead to worse consequences than providing it, the RN must assist the client. The RN must complete a triage assessment (also known as a rapid patient assessment) to determine the client’s emergent needs, assign a Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) score, call 911 and provide life sustaining care until EHS arrives. The RN is expected to act in accordance with their competence, standards and organizational policies to ensure that the client receives safe, competent care until they can be transferred to another health care professional or facility.
Working in an Unfamiliar Client Care Environment
While it is true that RNs are not obligated to provide care independently beyond their level of competence, every registered nurse has basic entry-level competencies that are to be applied in any practice setting. Rather than refusing an assignment related to perceived lack of competence, an RN should negotiate the work assignment with her/his manager as well as the staff on the unit to which they are floating. The assignment should be based on the registered nurse’s individual scope of practice and competencies.
Registered nurses have an obligation to inform employers when they are asked to deliver care beyond their level of competence or individual scope of nursing practice, and nurses must recognize when they have passed the limits of their knowledge, skills and/or judgment and to know when and where to request assistance or additional education or training.
The refusal of an assignment in an unfamiliar practice setting is only justified when the risk of harm to a client is greater by accepting the assignment than by refusing it. If an RN refuses an assignment for any reason, they must inform the employer of the reason for refusal, document why the assignment was refused, and provide the employer with enough time to find a suitable replacement.
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Competencies and Objectives (1 competency)
Practise in a manner consistent with the principles of interprofessional collaborative practice
Objectives – the registered nurse will:
- Identify the principles of interprofessional practice
- Describe what is meant by a Collaborative Emergency Centre in Nova Scotia
- Describe the shared accountability of the healthcare team within a Collaborative Emergency Centre
- Identify scope of practice of the nurse practitioners in Nova Scotia
- Define the role of the RN when working in triage with LPNs
Synopsis of Information
Interprofessional collaboration is “the process of developing and maintaining effective interprofessional working relationships with learners, practitioners, patients/clients/ families and communities to enable optimal health outcomes. Elements of collaboration include respect, trust, shared decision making, and partnerships” (A National Interprofessional Competency Framework, page 8).
The CIHC National Interprofessional Competency Framework “describes the competencies required for effective interprofessional collaboration. Six competency domains highlight the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that together shape the judgments that are essential for interprofessional collaborative practice” (A National Interprofessional Competency Framework, page 17).
The six competency domains are:
- interprofessional communication
- patient/client/family /community-centred care
- role clarification
- team functioning
- collaborative leadership
- interprofessional conflict resolution
The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) (2011), in their Position Statement on Interprofessional Collaboration, “believes that interprofessional collaborative models for health service delivery are critical for improving access to client-centred health care in Canada. The responsiveness of the health system can be strengthened through effective collaboration among health professionals, regulators, educators and professional associations” (p. 1).
CNA believes that the following seven principles facilitate collaboration among professions and professionals: client-centred care, evidence-informed decision-making for quality care, access, epidemiology, social justice and equity, ethics, and communication (CNA, 2011).
In Nova Scotia, the Regulated Health Professions Network, established in 2006, is a forum for all the health professions’ regulatory bodies in Nova Scotia to discuss and address common regulatory issues. The Regulated Health Professions Network Act builds on the regulatory systems already in practice and authorizes regulated health professions in Nova Scotia to collaborate, on a voluntary basis, in regulatory processes related to the investigation of complaints, interpretation and/or modification of scopes of practice, and review of registration appeals. This network also believes that health professionals working to their full scope of practice will further enhance access and health outcomes.
A Collaborative Emergency Center (CEC) is a model of care in Nova Scotia that makes access to emergency care a seamless part of primary health care by enhancing access to a comprehensive interprofessional primary health care team. This team deals with client’s primary care needs and is capable of dealing with unexpected illness or injury. Most CECs are located within or are in very close proximity to a rural health care facility.
The responsibility for client assessment is a shared responsibility between the paramedic and the RN in consultation with the on call Emergency Health Services Nova Scotia (EHSNS) physician. Assessment findings are based on shared data collection and analysis of that data by the RN and the paramedic. When the collaborating online EHSNS physician disagrees with the assessment and/or plan of care proposed by the RN and paramedic, the physician has the authority to make the final decision about the client’s care and is ultimately responsible for this decision. The RN and paramedic are responsible to follow through and document the revised plan of care. Client care disposition could include treat and release, treat and follow- up or treat and transfer. If a client requires a level of care that exceeds the capabilities of the site, they will be transferred to the closest, most appropriate facility if there is capacity to safely do so. The care of the client will then be transferred to the accepting ER physician.
Since nurse practitioners were introduced as healthcare providers in Nova Scotia, it is not uncommon for RNs to work with NPs as part of their interprofessional team; therefore, it is important for registered nurses to be aware of and understand that the advanced practice of nurse practitioners. Nurse practitioners work in collaboration with their clients and other healthcare providers to provide high quality, person-centered care. They work with diverse client populations in a variety of contexts and practice settings. For example, some nurse practitioners provide primary care in family practice settings, while others work in specialized fields in hospitals and clinics. Regardless of where they practise or with whom, nurse practitioners are accountable for their own practice and for providing leadership to enhance client care and care-delivery systems within their focus of practice.
Nurse practitioners are authorized them to autonomously conduct comprehensive health assessments and to diagnose, treat and manage acute and chronic physical and mental conditions. They identify health risks, order and interpret screening and diagnostic tests, perform procedures, prescribe medications, monitor treatment results, and provide written consultations/referrals to other healthcare providers when required.
The Canadian Triage & Acuity Scale (CTAS) is a tool that enables healthcare providers working in Emergency Departments (ED) to triage clients according the type and severity of their presenting signs and symptoms. It is used to ensure that the sickest patients are seen first when ED capacity has been exceeded due to visit rates or reduced access to other services and also ensures client care is reassessed periodically while in the ED.
LPNs may participate in the triage process in emergency rooms or Collaborative Emergency Centers. Only LPNs who have completed a formal Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) course are able to complete a triage assessment and health history, which will determine a preliminary CTAS score. The RN who also completed a recognized CTAS course must review the data provided by the LPN, validate the assessment findings and confirm that the CTAS score is consistent with the presentation of the client. A final CTAS score is assigned once the LPN has consulted with the RN for interpretation of the findings.
When working with LPNs in triage, the RN is responsible to determine the overall predictability and/or complexity of the client based upon determination of the final CTAS score. The LPN is accountable for her/his own practice and is expected to consult with the RN, immediately for CTAS scores of 1, 2, or 3. For a CTAS score of 4 or 5, the LPN is required to consult with the RN within 30 minutes.
If, after consultation, the RN does not change the CTAS score assigned by the LPN, the agreed upon score is recorded. If there is a difference between the CTAS scores assigned by the LPN and RN, the RN’s CTAS score is considered final, documented and used for client care planning. If the RN has concerns regarding the preliminary assessment of the client and feels conditions may have changed or further consideration may be required, the RN must do a more in-depth assessment to ensure the assessment is accurate.
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Competencies and Objectives (1 competency)
Practise in a manner consistent with the processes for professional conduct and Registration Services
Objectives – the registered nurse will:
- Identify the information an RN has a duty to report prior to registration
- Determine when there is a duty to report a registrant of the profession to the regulatory body
- Determine when there is a duty to report another health professional to the regulator of that health profession
- Explain what constitutes temporary engagement in nursing in Nova Scotia
Synopsis of Information
Duty to Report
RNs have a legal and ethical obligation to report incompetent, unethical or impaired practice of an RN, or unethical conduct by any regulated health professional, to or appropriate regulatory body.
If a registered nurse has reasonable grounds to believe another RN or regulated health professional has engaged in professional misconduct, incompetence or conduct unbecoming the profession, is incapacitated or is practicing in a manner that otherwise constitutes a danger to the public; the informed RN must file a written report to the College or the health professional’s appropriate regulatory body. RNs who fail to report these situations could be subject to discipline by their employer and by the College.
Prior to registering in Nova Scotia, RNs must report if they have been found guilty of a disciplinary finding in another jurisdiction or if they have had a licensing sanction imposed by another jurisdiction.
Temporary Engagement of Nursing in Nova Scotia
An RN registered but not currently licensed with the College or RNs currently licensed in another Canadian jurisdiction who wish to temporarily engage in the practice of nursing in NS for a special, time-limited event may be issued a conditional licence. These events may include but not be limited to:
- temporary employment as a camp RNs;
- completion of a nursing course in Nova Scotia which includes a clinical practicum; or
- an emergency or disaster event (e.g. pandemic).
All applicants must maintain a current licence (RN) in another Canadian jurisdiction while they hold a conditional licence in Nova Scotia. If their licence in the other Canadian jurisdiction lapses, their conditional licence with the College expires.
Competencies and Objectives (1 competency)
Practise within scope of practice
Objectives – the registered nurse will:
- Define the terms individual scope of practice, modification of scope of practice, and scope of employment.
- Describe the decision-making framework for adding a new intervention to the RN scope of practice
Synopsis of Information
Scope of practice forms the foundation on which competencies and practice standards are developed, informs curriculum content, assists with staffing decisions and health care workforce planning. No single health profession has a completely unique scope of practice and many professions share competencies. One task or activity does not define a profession; rather, it is the entire scope of competencies that make a profession unique.
The determinants of nursing practice, which enable changes to scopes of practice include legislated authority, regulatory standards, evidence informed practice, individual registered nurse competencies and the organizational/employer policies and support for practice. Periodic review of scopes of practice is therefore essential to ensure consistency with current health needs and to support improved health outcomes. Health care professions need to remain flexible regarding scope of practice issues and, at the same time, make careful, informed decisions regarding changes to the scope of practice.
Definition of Terms
Individual scope of practice: the roles, functions, and accountabilities which members of a profession are legislated, educated and authorized to perform. The individual scope of practice for a registered nurse is based on the scope of practice of the nursing profession and further defined by the registered nurse’s specific education, experience, and context of practice (e.g., hospital, community, etc.).
Modification of scope of practice: major proposed change in competencies or profession’s scope of practice requiring actual changes in the current legislation or initiating a modification of scope of practice through the process outlined in the Nova Scotia Regulated Health Profession Network Act. A modification to the scope of practice may be required when 1) the role, function or accountability is not currently within the scope of practice of nursing 2) the new addition is restricted by a statute regulating the practice of another health profession. A modification also might be required when the role, function or accountability may be considered within the scope of practice of nursing but the risk is significant enough to consider a legislative change to the scope of practice for the profession. Example: Registered Nurse taking on broad prescriptive authority or conducting minor surgery, administering general anesthesia.
Scope of employment: the range of roles that are defined by the employer through legislation, job descriptions, policies and procedures, guidelines, orientation processes and education. Individual RNs may have competencies to perform an intervention, which they are not authorized to implement in their current employment setting.
RN Authorized to Prescribe – RN-AP: an RN prescriber or RN Authorized to Prescribe is a registered nurse with an expanded scope of practice which enables them to prescribe medications and devices and order relevant screening or diagnostic tests within their specific area of prescribing competence and practice. RN prescribers have completed additional education and met additional registration requirements. They may only prescribe for clients with specific conditions and in practice settings as defined by their employer. RN Prescribers cannot prescribe controlled drugs and substances, methadone, investigational agents, or medical cannabis.
The RN prescribers are authorized to prescribe from a pre-approved list of medications developed by their employer. RN prescribers may not prescribe controlled drugs and substances, methadone, medical cannabis, or investigational agents.
The RN prescriber provides care independently within the health care team and is accountable for their prescribing actions and decisions. The RN prescriber may not be the most responsible health care provider for a client. The most responsible health care provider has the overall responsibility for directing and coordinating the care and management of the client. RN prescribers are expected to consult, collaborate, or refer the client to the most appropriate health care provider when the clients prescribing or care needs exceed their individual or professional scope of practice or competence.
Nurses are authorized to process a prescription or order written by an RN prescriber as they would for any other authorized prescriber.
Adding an Intervention to the RN Scope of Practice
The decision-making framework for adding a new intervention to the RN scope of practice is designed to assist RNs, employers and other stakeholders to collaboratively determine if interventions are consistent within the current RN scope of practice and whether the intervention will enhance client care. The framework consists of a series of questions, which are organized into a variety of categories. If all of the decision points in the framework can be answered with a ‘yes’, the RN and employer have the necessary information to make an informed decision regarding incorporating a new intervention in the RN scope of practice. Answering negatively to any of the questions in the framework does not necessarily mean that the intervention cannot be added to the RN scope of practice; rather it is an indicator that additional analysis is required before proceeding.
When to Consult with the College
- When it is not clear if the intervention is within the nursing scope of practice.
- When there is a question about the level of risk to clients.
- When there is a lack of resources in the organization to adequately assess the appropriateness of adding an interpretation to the nursing scope of practice.
- When the nurse is self-employed.
- When there are questions about determining the most appropriate designation of nurse to implement the intervention.
- Any time there are questions about the application of the decision-making framework or three-factor framework.
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Competencies and Objectives (2 competencies)
Identify how nursing is a self-regulating and autonomous profession mandated by provincial legislation to protect the public
Objectives – the registered nurse will:
- Define self-regulation
- State the primary purpose for the regulation of a profession by its members
- Describe how legislation directs the College to carry out the mandate of self-regulation
- Identify the three principles of self-regulation
- Explain self-regulation as it applies to the individual registered nurse and the profession
Identify the difference in mandate between regulatory bodies, unions and professional associations
Objectives – the registered nurse will:
- Explain the difference between a regulatory body, a professional association and a union
Synopsis of Information
Self-regulation is the relative autonomy by which a profession is practiced within the context of accountability to serve and protect the public interest.
Purpose of Self-Regulation
Self-regulation recognizes that members of a profession have the specialized knowledge needed to govern themselves with public input. Through self-regulatory mechanisms, the profession registers, licenses, monitors and when necessary, disciplines its registrants appropriately with the overall goal of ensuring public protection (Schiller, 2014).
The Board, consisting of elected individuals with representation from our registrants and the public, oversees College services. The Board receives its authority from the Act and Regulations. It sets policy directions impacting the programs and services we provide, and determines how the practice of nursing will be regulated and advanced in the public interest.
There are two levels of self-regulation:
- The individual level - RNs and NPs are accountable for their own practice, adhering to the standards of practice for RNs and NPs and Code of Ethics in all practice settings; and
- The College level - We are accountable for supporting RNs to help ensure that the nursing profession acts in the best interest of the public and fulfills the role that has been entrusted to them by government and society.
Three Principles of Self-Regulation
College programs and services are grounded in self-regulation principles, which include but are not limited to promoting good nursing practice, preventing poor nursing practice and intervening when practice is unacceptable.
The College promotes good practice by setting standards for nursing education programs, defining entry-level competencies, setting licensure requirements, promoting evidence based nursing, recognizing nursing role models, establishing professional practice standards and adopting a code of ethics.
The College prevents poor practice by identifying potential risks to client and public safety and offering programs and services to assist RNs to manage or mitigate these risks. This includes providing practice consultations, implementing a continuing competence program, developing resources to support practice and influencing administrative and government policy development that affects the practice of RNs.
The College intervenes when practice is unacceptable through the professional conduct process. Concerns of unsafe practice can be reported by a colleague, manager, employer, or the public. Concerns received are reviewed, and if required, investigated and action is taken to address complaints about the conduct, competence, health or behavior of RNs licensed to practice in our province.
The Difference between a Regulatory Body, an Association and a Union
A regulatory body’s mandate is to protect the interest of the public. An association is a body that promotes the interest of its members and advocates for the profession. The role of the association is supported by organizations external to the College. For example, the Canadian Nurse Association (CNA) exists to advance the practice and profession of nursing nationally and unions represent the interest of RNs in the workplace within Nova Scotia.
Competencies and Objectives (1 competency)
Practice in accordance with the standards of practice as determined by the College
Objectives – the registered nurse will:
- Define the terms standard and standards for nursing practice
- Identify the principles that are the basis for the standards of practice
Synopsis of Information
Standards are defined as authoritative statements that promote, guide, direct and regulate professional nursing practice: describe the desirable and achievable level of performance expected of all registered nurses, including nurse practitioners, against which actual performance can be measured.
Standards of practice means the minimal professional practice expectations for a registrant of a particular designation in any setting or role, approved by the Board.
The Standards of Practice for Registered Nurses are the benchmark for assessing the professional practice of all registered nurses in Nova Scotia, regardless of specialty or practice setting. Nurse practitioners are required to meet these standards, as well as the Nurse Practitioner Standards of Practice.
Principles Related to the Standards
The standards statements are broad in nature, capturing the diverse practice settings and areas in which nurses practise. The standards:
- apply at all times to all registered nurses in RN practice roles, including nurse practitioners
- provide guidance to assist registered nurses in decision-making and self-assessment as part of continuing competence
- are the foundation for the development of standards specific to various contexts of practice.
- may be used in conjunction with other resources to guide nursing practice (e.g., agency mission statements, models of care delivery)
- may be used to develop position descriptions, and performance appraisal and quality improvement tools
- support registered nurses by outlining practice expectations of the profession
- inform the public and others about what they can expect from practising registered nurses
- are used as a legal reference for reasonable and prudent practice (e.g., professional conduct processes).
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