Borders, boundaries and balloons: conceptual and professional issues in defining the scope of practice

International approaches to defining the scope of nursing practice are many and varied. Some attempts to do this have produced models which are cumbersome lists of tasks or behaviours, or statements which do not clearly articulate the scope of practice. Others have provided processes for the extension of the scope of nursing practice without clearly identifying what is being extended. This paper explores relevant conceptual and professional issues which may assist nurses to address this important issue for nursing in Australia. These issues will be discussed in terms of boundaries limiting practice, borders being extended and balloons being flexible and shaped by forces and events internal and external to them.