Question

What is the function of the standards of professional nursing practice?

Answer 1

The Standards of Professional Nursing Practice consist of the Standards of Practice and the Standards of Professional Performance.

Standards of Practice

The Standards of Practice describe a competent level of nursing care as demonstrated by the critical thinking model known as the nursing process. The nursing process includes the components of assessment, diagnosis, outcomes identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Accordingly, the nursing process encompasses significant actions taken by registered nurses and forms the foundation of the nurse’s decision-making.

Standard 1. Assessment The registered nurse collects pertinent data and information relative to the healthcare consumer’s health or the situation.

Standard 2. Diagnosis The registered nurse analyzes the assessment data to determine actual or potential diagnoses, problems, and issues.

Standard 3. Outcomes Identification The registered nurse identifies expected outcomes for a plan individualized to the healthcare consumer or the situation.

Standard 4. Planning The registered nurse develops a plan that prescribes strategies to attain expected, measurable outcomes.

Standard 5. Implementation The registered nurse implements the identified plan.

Standard 5A. Coordination of Care The registered nurse coordinates care delivery.

Standard 5B. Health Teaching and Health Promotion The registered nurse employs strategies to promote health and a safe environment

Standard 6. Evaluation The registered nurse evaluates progress toward attainment of goals and outcomes.

Standards of Professional Performance

The Standards of Professional Performance describe a competent level of behavior in the professional role, including activities related to ethics, culturally congruent practice, communication, collaboration, leadership, education, evidence-based practice and research, quality of practice, professional practice evaluation, resource utilization, and environmental health. All registered nurses are expected to engage in professional role activities, including leadership, appropriate to their education and position. Registered nurses are accountable for their professional actions to themselves, their healthcare consumers, their peers, and ultimately to society.

Standard 7. Ethics The registered nurse practices ethically.

Standard 8. Culturally Congruent Practice The registered nurse practices in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity and inclusion principles.

Standard 9. Communication The registered nurse communicates effectively in all areas of practice.

Standard 10. Collaboration The registered nurse collaborates with healthcare consumer and other key stakeholders in the conduct of nursing practice.

Standard 11. Leadership The registered nurse leads within the professional practice setting and the profession.

Standard 12. Education The registered nurse seeks knowledge and competence that reflects current nursing practice and promotes futuristic thinking.

Standard 13. Evidence-based Practice and Research The registered nurse integrates evidence and research findings into practice.

Standard 14. Quality of Practice The registered nurse contributes to quality nursing practice.

Standard 15. Professional Practice Evaluation The registered nurse evaluates one’s own and others’ nursing practice. Standard 16. Resource Utilization The registered nurse utilizes appropriate resources to plan, provide, and sustain evidence-based nursing services that are safe, effective, and fiscally responsible.

Standard 17. Environmental Health The registered nurse practices in an environmentally safe and healthy manner.