10 DMF A4 Nursing Summary Guide Final 2010 1 
Nursing practice decisions summary guide
NOTE: the order in which these issues are considered may vary according to context
Identify client need/benefit
Yes
to all
•
Has there been a comprehensive assessment by a nurse to establish the client’s needs/or their need for improved access to care?
•
Has there been appropriate consultation with the client/their family/significant others?
•
Is the activity in the client’s best interests?
No to any
Reflect on scope of practice and nursing practice standards
Yes to all
•
Is this activity within the current, contemporary scope of nursing practice?
•
Will performance comply with nursing practice standards /evidence?
•
Have legislative requirements (e.g. specific qualification needed) been met?
•
•
If authorisation by a regulatory authority is needed to perform the activity, does the person have it or can it be obtained before the activity is performed?
If other health professionals should assist, supervise or perform the activity, are they available? •
Is this activity/practice supported by the organisation?
•
•
If organisational authorisation is needed, does the person have it or can it be obtained before performing the activity?
Is there a system for ongoing education and maintenance of competence in place?
•
If this is a new practice:
•
Is the skill mix in the organisation adequate for the level of support/supervision needed to safely perform the activity?
No to any
Consider context of practice/organisational support
Yes to all
>> Are there processes in place for maintaining performance into the future?
No to any
>> Have relevant parties been involved in planning for implementation?
•
Have potential risks been identified and strategies to avoid or minimise them been identified and implemented? •
Have the roles and responsibilities of registered and enrolled nurses and non-nurses been considered?
•
Have all factors associated with delegation been
NOTE: the order in which these issues are considered may vary according to context
Identify client need/benefit
Yes
to all
•
Has there been a comprehensive assessment by a nurse to establish the client’s needs/or their need for improved access to care?
•
Has there been appropriate consultation with the client/their family/significant others?
•
Is the activity in the client’s best interests?
No to any
Reflect on scope of practice and nursing practice standards
Yes to all
•
Is this activity within the current, contemporary scope of nursing practice?
•
Will performance comply with nursing practice standards /evidence?
•
Have legislative requirements (e.g. specific qualification needed) been met?
•
•
If authorisation by a regulatory authority is needed to perform the activity, does the person have it or can it be obtained before the activity is performed?
If other health professionals should assist, supervise or perform the activity, are they available? •
Is this activity/practice supported by the organisation?
•
•
If organisational authorisation is needed, does the person have it or can it be obtained before performing the activity?
Is there a system for ongoing education and maintenance of competence in place?
•
If this is a new practice:
•
Is the skill mix in the organisation adequate for the level of support/supervision needed to safely perform the activity?
No to any
Consider context of practice/organisational support
Yes to all
>> Are there processes in place for maintaining performance into the future?
No to any
>> Have relevant parties been involved in planning for implementation?
•
Have potential risks been identified and strategies to avoid or minimise them been identified and implemented? •
Have the roles and responsibilities of registered and enrolled nurses and non-nurses been considered?
•
Have all factors associated with delegation been