The scope and standards of practice guide the nursing profession in competence and performance expectations. The scope of practice for nursing defines the activities that a person licensed as a nurse is permitted to perform while the standards of practice delineate performance expectations for all registered nurses. Review Chapter 3, “The Nursing Workforce,” of The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity, located in the Topic 2 Resources, and compare the scope of practice and differentiated practice competencies of licensed practical nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs), and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Review “Scope of Nursing Practice” from Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, located in the Topic 2 Resources. Standard 12 of the standards of practice describes the nurse’s role related to education. Explain the role of professional development (life-long learning) in the context of this standard.
Comparison of Scope of Practice and Differentiated Practice Competencies
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
- Scope of Practice: LPNs typically provide basic nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. Their duties may include assisting with patient care, administering medications, and monitoring vital signs.
- Differentiated Practice Competencies: LPNs are expected to have a solid foundation in basic nursing skills and knowledge. They may also specialize in areas such as geriatrics or pediatrics.
Comparison of Scope of Practice and Differentiated Practice Competencies
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
- Scope of Practice: LPNs typically provide basic nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. Their duties may include assisting with patient care, administering medications, and monitoring vital signs.
- Differentiated Practice Competencies: LPNs are expected to have a solid foundation in basic nursing skills and knowledge. They may also specialize in areas such as geriatrics or pediatrics.
Registered Nurses (RNs)
- Scope of Practice: RNs have a broader scope of practice than LPNs, which includes assessing patient needs, developing care plans, administering complex medications, and providing education and counseling to patients and families.
- Differentiated Practice Competencies: RNs may specialize in various areas of nursing, such as medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, geriatrics, or mental health nursing. They are expected to have advanced clinical skills and knowledge.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)
- Scope of Practice: APRNs have the highest level of education and training among registered nurses. They can diagnose and treat patients, prescribe medications, and provide specialized care in areas such as family health, adult-gerontology, pediatrics, and psychiatric-mental health nursing.
- Differentiated Practice Competencies: APRNs are expected to have expertise in their chosen specialty area and to be able to provide advanced clinical care, research, and education.
Standard 12: Education
Standard 12 of the Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice describes the nurse’s role related to education. Nurses are expected to:
- Provide education: Nurses should provide education to patients, families, and communities about health promotion, disease prevention, and self-care.
- Participate in continuing education: Nurses should engage in lifelong learning to maintain their knowledge and skills.
- Contribute to nursing education: Nurses may contribute to nursing education by serving as mentors, preceptors, or faculty members.
Role of Professional Development (Lifelong Learning)
Professional development is essential for nurses to maintain their competence and stay up-to-date with the latest evidence-based practices. It allows nurses to:
- Adapt to changes in healthcare: The healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, and nurses must stay informed about new technologies, treatments, and best practices.
- Improve patient outcomes: By staying current with the latest research, nurses can provide the best possible care to their patients.
- Advance their careers: Continuing education can help nurses advance their careers and achieve their professional goals.
- Maintain licensure: Many nursing licensure boards require nurses to complete a certain number of continuing education hours to maintain their licenses.
In conclusion, the scope of practice and differentiated practice competencies for LPNs, RNs, and APRNs vary based on their education and training. Standard 12 emphasizes the importance of professional development for all nurses to ensure that they are providing high-quality, evidence-based care.
