Privacy Act and Children and Young People Legislation, Enrolled Nurse Competency Standard for Practice, Professional Boundaries

This article discusses the Privacy Act and Children and Young People Legislation, which aim to protect the privacy of patients and promote the wellbeing of young people and children. It also covers the Enrolled Nurse Competency Standard for Practice, which outlines the standards that an enrolled nurse must meet, and the concept of professional boundaries in nursing.

Answer to Question 3
Privacy Act (Cwlth)
Any information regarding health is considered as personal information. Thus, in order to provide
extra protection to such information, the Privacy Act was passed in 1988. A health provider is taught
to comply with the act and is thus ethically and legally inclined to not disclose any information of the
patients, which can consist of their medical history, physical and mental condition and even their
genetic information. This act ensures the maintenance of the safety of patients. The act facilitates
how these organisations assemble and handle health information, and also includes provisions that
allow individuals to access their information (Ahpra.gov.au 2019). The nurses are ethically bound to
not leak any of this information as it would be considered a breach of the patient’s privacy.
Children and young people legislation
Objectives of this legislation promote the development and improvement of practices concerning
the wellbeing of young people and children. The healthcare providers are compelled to aid in this
improvement process. They can help by educating other healthcare practitioners about the lack of
health improvement services for children and help in providing them with the necessary medications
and healthcare services, either at a reduced rate or free of cost. They can also organize awareness
programs to help young people know the importance of health maintenance. However, they cannot
force young people to use any of the health facilities and services; it has to be according to their own
will. All the nurses can do is educate them and ensure them that they can always avail their help.

Answer to question 4
Enrolled nurse competency standard for practice
The competency of an enrolled nurse for practice is measured by the following standards
(Nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au 2019):
 The nurse should comply with the law, procedures and policies while practicing.
 Nurse should ensure that the rights, confidentiality, dignity and respect of the people are
maintained.
 The nurse accepts full responsibility and accountability for their actions.
 Properly incorporates information while planning the suitable care plan for the patient.
 Collaborates with the registered nurse, and the healthcare team while forming plans for
patient care.
 Provides timely and skilled care to patients.
 Makes informed decisions backed by proper research evidence.
 Practises within the bounds of the safety and quality enhancement standards and guidelines.
 Participates in ongoing professional as well as self-development
(Nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au 2019).
Professional boundaries
Professional boundaries in nursing are parameters which safeguard the space between the
vulnerability of the patient and the power of the health care provider. Thus, they are the borders
that mark the limits between a personal, professional, and therapeutic relationship between a nurse
and a patient in their care. When a health care provider crosses a boundary, they are considered to
be exhibiting an unprofessional behaviour and misusing their authority. Boundary violations like
physical abuse and sexual misconduct can result when nurses confuse their desires with the
requirements of the patient in their care.

References
Ahpra.gov.au (2019). AHPRA - Privacy Policy. [online] Ahpra.gov.au. Available at:
https://www.ahpra.gov.au/documents/default.aspx?record=WD10%2F3430... [Accessed 18 Jul.
2019].
Nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au (2019). Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia - Enrolled nurse
standards for practice. [online] Nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au. Available at:
https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/Professional-standards/
enrolled-nurse-standards-for-practice.aspx [Accessed 18 Jul. 2019].