To Investigate A New Procedure

You have been asked to investigate a new procedure that physicians would like nurses to adopt in the hospital. *Discuss the process you would apply to determine whether the procedure falls within the RN scope of practice *How you would go about introducing the new procedure with physicians and fellow nurses.

You have been asked to investigate a new procedure that physicians would like nurses to adopt in thehospital. Discuss the process you would apply to determine whether the procedure falls within the RNscope of practice and how you would go about introducing the new procedure with physicians andfellow nurses. When asked if I would investigate a new procedure that the physicians would like nurses to adopt intotheir practice, I would follow the American Nurses Association (ANA) recommendations of the decision- making process. According to the ANA’s article

Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, “the nurse has three professional resources to inform their thinking and decision- making and guide their practice” (ANA, 2010, p. 7). These three resources are the Code of Ethics, Nursing’s Social Policy Statement, and Scope and Standards of Practice for Nursing.The Code of Ethics would help the nurse determine if the policy at hand is a moral practice. If the policyis ethical in the nurse’s eyes, it would still have to stand up in to the ethics board or committee of the hospital. This is a form of advocacy in caring for future patients and families. “Nursing’s Social Policy Statement conceptualizes nursing practice, describes the social context of nursing, and provides the definition of nursing” (ANA, 2010, p. 7). “Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice outlines theexpectations of the professional role of the registered nurse. It states the scope of practice and presentsthe standards of professional nursing practice and their accompanying competencies” (ANA, 2010, p. 7).

When practicing in Iowa as a RN, I would be sure to investigate that the policy would fall under the Iowa Board of Nursing’s Scope of Practice, also. That is a must. A nurse cannot func tion outside of the scope ofpractice without the risk of disciplinary actions being taken against that nurse.When introducing the new policy to the physicians and fellow nurses, I would make it a gradual and slowchange. Change is always a hard concept for all people to grasp. This would be the hardest part. I wouldkeep positive and encouraging, as I feel that a positive attitude goes a LONG way in the process. I wouldhold meetings where staff could attend and practice the skill, if needed. These meetings would requiremandatory attendance. This would help each nurse feel comfortable with their new procedure prior toimplementation. The encouragement and positive words wouldn’t end when the policy or procedure is put forth, but would continue until each person feels comfortable with the new process. It would only be fair. Hopefully, thesesteps would make the transition easier.American Nurses Association, Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice.