1. Scope of Practice Elaine Harris Clinical Placement Coordinator
Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital,
Crumlin,
Dublin 12

2. Definition of Scope of Practice
The range of roles, functions responsibilities and activities, which a registered nurse is educated, competent, and has authority to perform
(An Bord Altranais, 2000)

3. Competence
‘Competence is the ability of the registered nurse to practice safely and effectively within his/her scope of practice’
(ABA, 2000)

4. Competence Not static Developmental
Specific skill may be learned, but knowledge may change over time
Acknowledge any limitation of competence

5. Determining Competence
The assessment of one’s own competence includes:
The recognition of one’s own abilities
Practicing within the limits of one’s own abilities and qualifications but not beyond the scope of practice
In accordance with legislation and The Code of Professional Conduct

6. Accountability
Being answerable for the decisions made in the course of one’s own professional practice
Applies to both actions and omissions

7. Responsibility
‘A charge for which one is answerable’ (Batey and Lewis, 1982)

8. 5 rights of delegation Right task Right circumstance Right person
Right directions or instructions
Right supervision
(Davidson and Scott, 1999)

9. Emergency Situations
‘Nothing can be construed as preventing a nurse from taking appropriate action in the case of an emergency’
(ABA, 2000)
Best interest of the patient must be served by appropriate nursing intervention in emergency situations

10. Nurse Scope of Practice Decision – Making Framework
This framework supports and guides nurses

11. Scenario 1
A Seconded Student is working on an infant ward and is asked by a mother to bath her infant on her 1st day
She has bathed adults while on General Placement and is nervous about bathing an infant
She is not sure of she is competent or not
What should she do?

12. Scenario 2
A 4 Year Seconded Student working in a surgical paediatric unit is asked by the CNM if she would collect a patient from theatre.
She has done this while on General Placements.
What should she do?