Describe The Roles Of The Registered Nurse Identify The Scope Of Pr ✓ Solved

· Describe the roles of the Registered Nurse · Identify the scope of practice for the nurse in the state of Florida · Using the Nurse Practice Act for the state of Florida, compare and contrast the scope of practice for the LPN and RN · Conclusion (reflect on the assignment including how you will use the scope of practice to support your role) · Use at least two scholarly resources to support your findings. For example, one of the resources could be the State Board of Nursing website , and another resource could be a textbook. These resources must be integrated into the body of your paper using at least two in-text citations.

Paper for above instructions

The Roles of the Registered Nurse and the Scope of Practice in Florida

Introduction

Registered nurses (RNs) serve crucial roles in the healthcare system, ranging from providing direct patient care to participating in the formulation of healthcare policies. Their scope of practice is determined by laws and regulations that vary by state. This paper will describe the roles of RNs, detail the nursing scope of practice in Florida, compare the scopes of practice for RNs and licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and reflect on the implications of this knowledge for nursing practice.

The Roles of the Registered Nurse

The roles of registered nurses encompass a variety of responsibilities that focus on patient care, education, and collaboration with other healthcare professionals. RNs perform assessments, develop care plans, implement nursing interventions, and evaluate patient outcomes. They advocate for patients' needs, educate families about health conditions, and provide support for patient decision-making (American Nurses Association, 2015).
Furthermore, RNs play pivotal roles in health promotion and disease prevention. They conduct health screenings, immunizations, and community outreach, all while adhering to ethical standards of nursing practice (Blegen, et al., 2013). Additionally, RNs often take leadership roles, coordinating care and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure effective and efficient healthcare delivery.

Scope of Practice for Nurses in Florida

The Florida Nurse Practice Act, governed by Chapter 464 of the Florida Statutes, delineates the scope of practice for registered nurses within the state. This framework defines the responsibilities, duties, and boundaries within which RNs can operate (Florida Board of Nursing, 2023). According to the Act, registered nurses may:
1. Perform nursing assessments: Collect data about the health status of patients and analyze these findings to inform care.
2. Design and implement nursing care plans: Based on assessments, RNs create individualized care plans and carry out interventions.
3. Administer medications and treatments: RNs are licensed to administer treatments and medications, including intravenous therapies, as prescribed by licensed health care practitioners.
4. Supervise and delegate tasks: RNs can supervise LPNs and nursing assistants, facilitating effective healthcare delivery while ensuring compliance with nursing standards.
5. Participate in patient education: Teaching patients and families about health management, treatments, and disease prevention is an essential function of an RN's practice.

Comparison of the Scope of Practice for LPNs and RNs

Florida's Nurse Practice Act also differentiates between the scopes of practice for RNs and LPNs. LPNs are licensed to provide basic nursing care under the supervision of RNs and physicians. Their responsibilities include:
1. Providing basic patient care: LPNs may perform tasks such as bathing patients, feeding, and assisting with daily activities.
2. Conducting vital sign assessments: Monitoring and recording vital signs is a fundamental task for LPNs.
3. Administering medications: LPNs may administer specific medications and perform selected treatments as delegated by RNs or physicians.
4. Documenting patient information: LPNs play a crucial role in documenting care provided and reporting changes in patient conditions to RNs.
The key differences between the two roles are the level of education and training, complexity of nursing assessments, and the authority to perform certain advanced procedures. RNs, who are required to have more extensive education, can undertake complex patient assessments, interpret diagnostic tests, and develop comprehensive care plans independently. Conversely, LPNs operate under a more limited scope of practice and require direct supervision for many tasks.

Reflection and Conclusion

Understanding the scope of practice is vital for registered nurses, particularly in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. Recognizing the legal and regulatory frameworks outlined by the Florida Nurse Practice Act equips RNs to navigate their professional responsibilities confidently. This knowledge empowers them not only to advocate for their patients but also to maintain compliance with state regulations while providing high-quality care.
In my own practice, I will utilize the knowledge gained from studying Florida's nursing regulations to inform my decision-making, promote patient safety, and ensure that I operate within my legal boundaries. By using the scope of practice as a guide, I can better support my role in patient advocacy, interdisciplinary collaboration, and education.

References

American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice. Silver Spring, MD: Nursebooks.org.
Blegen, M. A., Goode, C. J., Park, S. H., & Vaughn, T. (2013). Nurse outcomes and nursing care quality: A research review. Nursing Research and Practice, 2013, Article ID 116277. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/116277
Florida Board of Nursing. (2023). Florida Nurse Practice Act. Retrieved from https://floridasnursing.gov/
Florida Statutes. (2023). Chapter 464: Nurses. Retrieved from http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=4600-4699/464/464.html
Grover, C. A., & O'Donnell, D. M. (2018). Essentials of nursing leadership & management. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
Harris, M., & Geller, S. (2016). Nursing frameworks for ethical decision-making. Nursing Ethics, 23(2), 153-162. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733015576063
Klein, C., & Seel, A. (2019). Comparison of nurse practitioners and registered nurses: A discourse analysis. Health Studies Journal, 54(1), 25-34.
Labrador, S., & Lathrop, B. (2018). Effective delegation in nursing: Advanced roles and responsibilities. American Journal of Nursing, 118(11), 48-55. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NAJ.0000548910.30503.ce
National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2023). Nursing practice act overview. Retrieved from https://www.ncsbn.org/nursing-practice
Smith, L., & Jones, K. (2021). The impact of nurse leadership on patient outcomes: A systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 115, 103223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103223