If you were in charge, what would RN practice look like?

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

From the American Nurse:

Thursday August 22nd 2013

ANA President's Perspective: Karen A. Daley, PhD, RN, FAAN[h=3]If you were in charge, what would RN practice look like?[/h]

Since the release of the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) Future of Nursing report recommendations in 2010, much focus has been placed on advancing full authority for nurse practitioners and other APRNs in their practice as primary care providers. Unquestionably, there will be a critical necessity in the years ahead for many millions of currently uninsured individuals to be afforded improved access to primary care.

To achieve the IOM's Triple Aim - better care, better health, at lower cost - we must also ask ourselves: What about enabling full authority in RN practice? By RN full authority, I mean optimally utilizing the knowledge, skills and training of RNs, regardless of where or with whom they practice.

Have you ever thought about what that would look like? Step back for a moment and think about how you currently spend your time on an average shift-and ask yourself a couple of questions. First, given my knowledge, skills and education as a nurse, how are they best utilized to make the greatest difference in patient outcomes and health? Second, is my time being spent in activities that best utilize my nursing knowledge and skills? And then, what tasks and activities that I currently perform could and should be delegated to other qualified professionals, so patients can optimally benefit from my nursing knowledge and competencies?

Health care has changed dramatically in recent years with the introduction of new therapies and technologies. The practice of nursing also needs to evolve as health care systems and patient care needs grow increasingly complex and practice competencies evolve along with them. There is a need to maximize everyone's role on the health care team - physicians included - to make sure care provided by all optimally reflects their unique knowledge and competencies...

What do you think?

Share your thoughts on RN Scope of Practice. Write to [email protected] or comment online at TheAmericanNurse.org. Visit www.facebook.org/AmericanNursesAssociation.

Get involved: RN Scope of Practice Professional Issues Panel

The call for applications for an upcoming RN Scope of Practice Professional Issues Panel begins in September at www.nursingworld.org/professional-issues-panels. For information or questions, send an e-mail to: [email protected].