Competencies for registered nurses Te whakarite i nga mahi tapuhi kia tiakina ai te haumaru a-iwi
Regulating nursing practice to protect public safety
December 2007
December
2007
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Competencies for registered nurses
Nursing Council of New Zealand
PO Box 9644, Wellington 6011 www.nursingcouncil.org.nz Reprint May 2012
© Nursing Council of New Zealand 2012
ISBN 978-0-908662-22-7
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Registered nurse scope of practice Registered nurses utilise nursing knowledge and complex nursing judgment to assess health needs and provide care, and to advise and support people to manage their health. They practise independently and in collaboration with other health professionals, perform general nursing functions and delegate to and direct enrolled nurses, healthcare assistants and others. They provide comprehensive assessments to develop, implement, and evaluate an integrated plan of health care, and provide interventions that require substantial scientific and professional knowledge, skills and clinical decision making. This occurs in a range of settings in partnership with individuals, families, whanau and communities. Registered nurses may practise in a variety of clinical contexts depending on their educational preparation and practice experience.
Registered nurses may also use this expertise to manage, teach, evaluate and research nursing practice. Registered nurses are accountable for ensuring all health services they provide are consistent with their education and assessed competence, meet legislative requirements and are supported by appropriate standards. There will be conditions placed in the scope of practice of some registered nurses according to their qualifications or experience limiting them to a specific area of practice.
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Competencies for registered nurses
Domains of competence
There are four domains of competence for the registered nurse scope of practice. Evidence of safety to practise as a registered nurse is demonstrated when the applicant meets