Registered Nurses (RN), Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LP/VN) and advanced practice nurses (APN) are regulated through the Board of Nursing, who are responsible for protecting the public through this licensure (Nursing: Nursing Practice). A broad definition of nursing allows them to adapt to changing health care environments, to changing practice expectations and to the continual evolution of the nursing profession. Nursing Practice Acts and Nursing Administrative Rules/Regulations apply to all nursing roles in all settings, but the regulatory definition of nursing practice is specific enough to distinguish it from the practice of other health care professionals.
The practice of nursing includes assisting individuals and groups to maintain or attain optimal health; implementing strategies of care to accomplish defined goals; evaluating responses to care and treatment; initiating and maintaining comfort measures; promoting and supporting human functions and responses; establishing an environment conducive to well-being; providing health counseling and teaching; and collaborating on different aspects of the health regimen (Nursing: Nursing Practice). This involves understanding the human condition across the lifespan, and the relationships between the individual and the environment. Uniform Care Licensure Requirements are being developed by the Nursing Practice and Education Committee.
Unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) have an important role in the delivery of patient care, but they do so only under the direct supervision of an RN or other appropriately qualified personnel (Principles). Documentation of UAP competency must be made available to individual nurses who delegate activities to UAP, and the responsibility for ensuring the appropriate education of nurse delegators and UAP delegatees is shared by hospital administration, nursing service administration and licensed nurses.
Because of the increased publi...