Running head: NURSING PRACTICE LAWS 1

Nursing Practice Laws

Simona Kendrick

Ohio University
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Nursing Practice and the Law

The founding principle of nursing is the promotion of health and wellness. The

American Nurses’ Association (2004) states,

“Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention

of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of

human response, and advocacy in the care of individual’s families, communities, and

populations” (p. 7).

The Standards of Nursing Practice and Professional Performance are researched based

statements that are supported by professional value and ethics. As a nurse, these standards

govern my practice in regard to the nursing process as well as ensure the safety and quality of

care provided to clients.

The professional nursing practice standards provide a framework by which all nurses are

expected to holistically approach the provision of care. Nursing is the observation and treatment

of how the human body responds to health and wellness. McEwen and Nies (2001) state that “all

nursing is based on a systematic, comprehensive assessment of the client” (p. 228). By use of the

nursing process, nurses perform deliberative, knowledgeable tasks to promote and maintain

health. Interdisciplinary healthcare through leadership, communication, and advocacy is

coordinated by nursing within the scope of the Nurse Practice Act. For example, the assessment,

diagnosis, and development of a plan of care should reflect the experiences of client. In my

current practice, cultural sensitivity and an appreciation for the values and beliefs of others helps

me to develop a trusting relationship with my patients as well as with my colleagues.

In addition, evidence based strategy and therapeutic intervention are implemented in

order to reach measurable predetermined clinical outcomes. As charge nurse, an increased

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awareness is present when evaluating nurse- patient ratio and acuity in my efforts to ensure that

patient safety and quality care is provided on the unit. The nursing profession values self

direction. This value is reflected in the written standard of health teaching and health promotion

as well as in my practice. Educating patients on topics such as diet, exercise, and post-operative

care is a prime function of nurses in the hospital setting in order to prepare patients and

caregivers for discharge or self-care.

According to the American Nurses’ Association (2004), care coordination is described

function of a registered nurse in the Standard of Practice (p. 27.) For instance, interdisciplinary

rounds that consist of the client, family, physician, nurse, social worker, and pharmacist are a

daily process that is implemented on my unit as a practice congruent with client –centered care.

Though direct client care is not my present duty, my current role is to facilitate this process as

well as collaboration between departments such surgery, dietary, care management and activities

within the nursing unit itself. Lastly, comprehensive documentation of the components of the

nursing process provides a basis for evaluation of client outcomes and evidence based research.

Not only does the America Nurses’ Association establish practice standard, professional

performance standards are addressed. These standards direct professional performance. The

ethics and values of the nursing are written adopted into the law as expected behavior. One

example is in collegiality. The standard noted in Scope a& Standard of Nursing Practice by the

American Nurses Association (2004) states that “the registered nurse is expected to interact

and contributed to the professional development of peers and colleagues” (p.37). Just as this

author is expected to promote the health of clients, this author is expected to support the

nursing staff by sharing information, feedback, and expertise with co-workers in a caring

manner. Moreover, conflict resolution is a major leadership task in my current practice. Ethical
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values such as preserving client rights to dignity, autonomy, confidentiality, and advocacy are

measurable practice standards set in place to guide this author as well as to protect clients by

holding nurses accountable for actions. To establish the purpose of the chapter, The State Board

of Nursing includes the minimal acceptable standards of safe and effective nursing practice for a

registered nurse practicing in the State of Ohio. These rules concentrate how to give clients

timely, accurate care as a competent yet prudent nurse within the boundaries of the law.

Being that morals and ethics are the basis for the development of standards or rules set in

place by the judicial system, this author is obligated to promote the health of clients without

harm in manner congruent with current practice standards. For example, The Board of Nursing

mandates that telephone or verbal orders be read back with verification of the client by name and

birth date. An LPN on my unit informs me that she usually contacts a particular physician via

text message. First, this author questions the confidentiality of the client record when

communicating by text message and its potential risk. Next, the usage of client identification is

addressed as well as the ability to clearly collaborate the client’s situation, background,

assessment and recommendations. After conferring with the LPN, the determination is made

that such practice is not safe, against our policy and should stop.

This author‘s practice is consistent with the law as measured by excellent yearly

evaluation. However, delegation in accordance to the law is an aspect of nursing that often

requires that this author seek direction. My unit is staffed with registered nurses with various

levels of skill and competency as well as licensed practical nurses. At times, nursing assignments

and delegation becomes challenging. Even so, the author realizes that it crucial that registered

nursing remain current in skills and knowledge through continuing education and
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competencies, especially since technology provides on the spot results that requires immediate

attention of medical personnel.