Topics

• Professional Practice Standards
• Position Statement
• Nurse Practice Act
• References

NURS 410 - Health Care Delivery Systems & Informatics

Module 12: Professional Practice Standards, Policy, and Liability

Overview

Nursing practice is guided by professional standards. Nurses must be aware of the standards developed organizations, such as the the American Nurses Association (ANA), because these principles are used to help nurses conceptualize their practice, solve problems, make ethical decisions and positively influence patient-care outcomes. For example, all registered nurses (RN), regardless of their specialty are bound to function within the ANA Scope and Standards of Practice (2010). The ANA publishes a number of standards and each may be applied to RN practice regardless of the setting. Two standards are addressed in this module because each is essential to all RNs: Scope and Standards of Practice (2010) and Code of Ethics for Nurses With Interpretive Statements (2015). In additional, linking policy to practice, the ANA publishes position statements, or their view and ruling on a particular issue. The ANA has several position statements and one is discussed in this module: Inclusion of Recognized Terminologies within EHRs and other Health Information Technology Solutions (2015).

Nursing practice is governed the individual states nurse practice act. “Each state defines practice requirements that a RN license holder must abide by. More than 100 years ago, state governments enacted laws which protect the public's health and welfare by overseeing and ensuring the safe practice of nursing. All states and territories have enacted a nurse practice act (NPA). Each state's NPA is enacted by the state's legislature” (National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 2015). This module explains selected ANA standards and positions statements and how each influences nursing practice. The relationship between the nurse practice act and conditions placing the nurse at risk for professional negligence are explained.

Objectives

At the end of the modules, the student will be able to:

• Discuss professional standards as applied to the delivery of nursing care in the healthcare system.
• Discuss professional position statements as applied to the delivery of nursing care in the healthcare system.
• Explain the nurse practice act.
• Apply the elements of malpractice as related to professional negligence.

Required Readings

• Niles pages 286-287 (Basic concepts of Healthcare Law and Tort Reform Discussion) and page 317 (Healthcare Code of Ethics)
• Watch the video, Dennis Quaid Talks about his Twins and Medical Negligence on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEDMYsm3Nxs (13:37 minutes)