Critical Thinking: Analysis of Enrolled Nurses' Scope of Practice

This report provides a critical analysis of the scope of practice for enrolled nurses in Australia, examining the historical background, current issues, and future trends. The analysis covers the evolution of their roles, including the impact of staff shortages and economic constraints on their responsibilities. The report explores the changes in their scope, such as the incorporation of medication administration and their expanded roles in various healthcare settings. The report also discusses the challenges and professional issues arising from these changes, particularly the increased workload and the need for organizational preparedness. The report references a key journal article to support its findings, offering insights into the complexities of nursing practice and the evolving roles of enrolled nurses.

Running head: CRITICAL THINKING
Critical Thinking
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

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CRITICAL THINKING
Review and Analysis of Journal Article
Answer to Question 1
The authors of the article have highlighted the scope of practice issue pertinent to the
enrolled nurses employed in Australia. A comprehensive overview regarding the historical
background of this healthcare workforce together with their present situation has been
mentioned. Insight has also been provided about the emerging trends related to education and
employment of these nurses (Ruth Jacob et al., 2013).
Answer to Question 2
The two main reasons that have been cited behind the issue involve staff shortage and
economic constraints. The scope of practice for the enrolled nurses in Australia in the past
decade has undergone drastic changes owing to these causes that in turn have culminated in role
confusion and overlap among the enrolled and registered nurses.
Answer to Question 3
In the current situation, the Enrolled Nurses (EN) scope of practice has witnessed certain
vital changes. Incorporation of the medication administration to the scope of practice of the
Enrolled Nurses has contributed significant workload for them. Moreover, expansion of the ENs
role in a variety of setting including the operation theaters, emergency departments, anesthetics,
acute medical and surgical wards have also transformed their scope of practice.

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CRITICAL THINKING
Answer to Question 4
Viewing scope of practice for nurses may be considered in the light of two different
perspectives. Competency statements developed by the regulatory authorities for standardization
of the nursing practice and layout of frameworks to aid in assessment of competency status and
delimiting nursing practice may be referred to in these contexts.
Answer to Question 5
Expanding the scope of practice of the EN has converged in the emanation of certain
professional and practice issues in nursing. Increased workload for the EN to carry out the
additional duties as desired from them within the give timeframe mainly in rural setting has been
observed. Another issue includes organizational preparedness to enforce and implement the
changes encompassing the empowerment of this workforce directly into the system.

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CRITICAL THINKING
References
Ruth Jacob, E., Barnett, A., Sellick, K., & McKenna, L. (2013). Scope of practice for Australian
enrolled nurses: Evolution and practice issues. Contemporary nurse, 45(2), 155-163.