Registered Nurses | Nursing Standards

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Nursing
Name
Institution

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Nursing Standards
Standard 6: Provides Safe, Appropriate and Responsive Quality Nursing Practice
Introduction
Registered nurses are required to comply with the seven standards for practice in conjunction
with the code of professional conduct, code of ethics, and any other accompanying NMBA
documents. These standards allow a registered nurse to direct and delegate ethical and quality
actions that are based on the practice goals (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia). In this
paper, we will discuss the following three criteria of this standard. Firstly, an RN practices within
their scope of practice. Secondly, an RN provides effective timely direction and supervision to
ensure that delegated practice is safe and correct. Finally, RN practices in accordance with
relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations, and legislation.
RN Practices within Their Scope of Practice
The scope of nursing practice may be defined as the functions, responsibilities, and roles that can
be practiced by an educated and competent registered nurse. This scope of practice may be
influenced by factors that include the practice setting, educational preparation, competence, and
professional practice of the nurse, policies and guidelines at local, national, and international
level, patient safety, care outcomes, collaborative practice, and patient needs. The requirements
for nurses during the provision of care are outlined by the scope of practice. These requirements
are outlined in a way that ensures the nurse acts within their autonomous scope of practice,
responds to orders that are client-specific, and gives client-specific orders (Schluter, Seaton &
Chaboyer, 2011). It is important to note that nursing practice is guided by values that determine
ways of providing nursing care. As nurses practice within their scope, they must prioritize the

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needs of the patients and the benefits their practice have to the patients in addition to promoting
and maintaining quality health outcomes.
The nursing scope of practice highlights the roles and activities that a registered nurse may
perform to address the experience of patients and understand responses to illnesses. These
activities may include health promotion, rehabilitation, health restoration, palliation, health
maintenance, and health protection. The nursing practice must assist patients in obtaining and
maintaining quality health to improve the quality of life (Schluter, Seaton & Chaboyer, 2011).
Within the scope of practice for registered nurses, the application of functions of a nurse is a
common practice and does not need a standardized procedure. Practice can be divided into three
functions that include independent functions, dependent functions, and interdependent functions
(Schluter, Seaton & Chaboyer, 2011). Registered nurses must, therefore, observe these functions
and competently execute them to ensure patient safety.
RN Provides Effective Timely Direction and Supervision to ensure that Delegated Practice
is safe and correct
In the present day nursing environment, registered nurses are accountable to the general public in
the provisions of efficient, timely, culturally sensitive, safe, equitable, effective, and patient-
centered nursing care for all beneficiaries of healthcare. A registered nurse is always responsible
for their practice and determines how to appropriately delegate tasks per the obligations of a
nurse to provide the best patient care. Any decision based on delegation of duties must follow the
most important principles of safety, health protection, and public welfare (Mitty et al., 2010).
These decisions must reflect the commitment of the registered nurse towards the patient without
any form of discrimination.