Scope of practice describes the services that a qualified health professional is considered competent to perform and is permitted to undertake in keeping with the terms of their professional license. The practice is also based on specific education, demonstrated competence, and experiences. A nurses scope of practice is composed of only the skills that are taught in an accredited nursing program that the Board of Nursing deems safe. It also provides a legal demonstration of what nurses can do and what they cant do. The nurse administers skills at an independent nursing level. The scope of practice is based on the nursing process, which includes: assessment, diagnosing, planning, implementation, and evaluating. The registered nurses scope of practice varies from state to state and is updated yearly. The State Board of Nursing defines the registered nurses scope of practice in the Nurse Practice Act. The MSBON issues licensure to the individual who has completed the proper education and also has proven themselves competent in the art of nursing. If a skill is performed out of that scope, it will be handled consequently by the board of nurses. The MSBONs primary function is to protect the public from harm and danger in any case in which the registered nurse is providing the appropriate care for an individual. The RN shall be accountable and responsible for making decisions based on knowledge, competency, experience, and the use of the nursing process.
The registered nurse is also responsible for regulations and knowledge of the law, and for practicing within the scope of practice established by the MSBON. The RN is held accountable for quality nursing care provided to a patient on an individualized basis. They should also respect the rights of patients, a patients property, privacy, and family, and provide care without ever judging. Skills that registered nurses are required to perform include administering medications, obtaining vital signs, admitting and discharging patients, ensuring patient safety, etc. The RN may assign specific nursing duties and patient treatments to other qualified personnel based on their credentials and ability to perform the duties. The RN may also assign medication administration duties to other licensed nurses like a licensed practical nurse. The RN is responsible for the evaluation of care as assigned by them. For proper delegation, the following criteria must be used: the right person, the right circumstance, the right supervision, and the right task. If the RN is delegating a task to an LPN, that patient must be stable. As for UAPs, they can complete tasks such as vital signs of a stable patient and assisting with ADLs. Registered nurses are not limited to the areas of medicine in which nursing skills can be carried out. They can work in areas such as clinics, hospitals, home health, schools, correctional facilities, rehabilitation centers, and behavioral centers.