Nursing scope of practice: descriptions and challenges.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Workforce Dynamics
• Healthcare Professional Roles
• Scope of Practice Research

Background:

• The nursing workforce faces critical shortages, impacting healthcare delivery.
• Optimal utilization of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Registered Nurses (RNs), and Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs) remains under-researched.
• Understanding nurses' perceptions of their scope of practice is crucial for workforce optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how RNs, LPNs, and RPNs perceive "working to full scope of practice."
• To identify factors influencing nurses' understanding and application of their professional scope.
• To investigate the impact of role differentiation on nurse job satisfaction and perceived value.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving acute care nurses in western Canada.
• Data collection focused on eliciting perceptions of "full scope of practice."
• Analysis centered on task-based versus role-based definitions of nursing practice.

Main Results:

• Nurses predominantly described scope of practice through specific tasks performed.
• Assessment and care coordination emerged as key differentiators between nursing roles.
• Lack of clear role differentiation was linked to feelings of devaluation among nurses.

Conclusions:

• Current understanding of nursing scope of practice is often task-centric, not role-centric.
• Enhanced role clarity for LPNs, RNs, and RPNs is essential for effective healthcare team function.
• Addressing insufficient role differentiation can improve nurse morale and recognition.