Practising as a nurse abroad

The Scope of Professional Practice

Contents Registration UKCC Code of Professional Practice Accountability Scope of Professional Practice Records and Record Keeping Role and Responsibilities

A number of years ago the 'extended role' of the nurse was established which 'allowed' nurses to undertake certain tasks that were previously the domain of doctors. These tasks had to be authorised by the employer, training had to be given, competence assessed and a certificate issued.

There was no on-going assessment of competence after this and the range of tasks nurses could perform was limited by hospital protocols. The UKCC considered the 'extended' or 'extending' roles as unsuitable and the Scope of Professional Practice was therefore introduced in 1992. This recognises that nurses have the potential to develop their role to include aspects of care for which they did not necessary hold a certificate.

In order to bring into proper focus the professional responsibility and consequent accountability of individual practitioners, it is the Councils principles for practice rather that certificates for tasks which should form the basis for adjustments to the scope of practice.

The Scope of Professional Practice, UKCC 1992

The principles which should govern adjustments to the scope of professional practice are those which follow:

The registered nurse, midwife or health visitor:

must recognise and honour the direct or indirect personal accountability borne for all aspects of professional practice and - must, in serving the interests of patients and clients and the wider interests of society, avoid any inappropriate delegation to others which compromises those interests.

must be achieved without compromising or fragmenting existing aspects of professional practice and care and that requirements of the Councils Code of Professional Conduct are satisfied throughout the whole area of practice;

must ensure that any enlargement or adjustment of the scope of personal professional practice

must honestly acknowledge any limits of personal knowledge and skill and take steps to remedy any relevant deficits in order effectively and appropriately to meet the needs of patients and clients;

must endeavour always to achieve, maintain and develop knowledge, skill and competence to respond to those needs and interests

must be satisfied that each aspect of practice is directed to meeting the needs and serving the interests of the patient or client;

The Scope of Professional Practice, UKCC 1992

The principles are based on the Councils Code of Professional Conduct and in particular on the emphasis which the Code places on knowledge, skills, responsibility and accountability.

The Scope of Professional Practice 'allows' nurses, midwives and health visitors to undertake tasks previously the remit of doctors, as long as the enhanced roles are in the best interests of the patient, not detrimental to nursing care and that the nurse is skilled and competent to do them. However, nurses must also acknowledge any limitations in knowledge and skills and should not perform tasks they do not feel skilled or competent to perform.

It is therefore important that nurses are confident they have the necessary qualifications, experience, skills and personal qualities to be able to undertake the role and responsibilities required of them. As well as knowing how to perform specific tasks, the nurse also needs to exercise professional judgment as to whether such a procedure needs to be undertaken, by them, at that particular time.