OAR 851-050-0005
Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice
(1)
Purpose of Scope of Practice:(a)
To establish acceptable levels of safe practice for the nurse practitioner.(b)
To serve as a guide for the Board to evaluate nurse practitioner practice.(c)
To distinguish the scope of practice of the nurse practitioner from that of the registered nurse.(2)
The role of the nurse practitioner will continue to expand in response to societal demand and new knowledge gained through research, education, and experience.(3)
The nurse practitioner provides holistic health care to individuals, families, and groups across the life span in a variety of settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities and community based settings.(4)
Within his or her specialty, the nurse practitioner is responsible for managing health problems encountered by the client and is accountable for health outcomes. This process includes:(a)
Assessment;(b)
Diagnosis;(c)
Development of a plan;(d)
Intervention;(e)
Evaluation.(5)
The nurse practitioner is independently responsible and accountable for the continuous and comprehensive management of a broad range of health care, which may include:(a)
Promotion and maintenance of health;(b)
Prevention of illness and disability;(c)
Assessment of clients, synthesis and analysis of data and application of nursing principles and therapeutic modalities;(d)
Management of health care during acute and chronic phases of illness;(e)
Admission of his/her clients to hospitals and/or health services including but not limited to home health, hospice, long term care and drug and alcohol treatment;(f)
Counseling;(g)
Consultation and/or collaboration with other health care providers and community resources;(h)
Referral to other health care providers and community resources;(i)
Management and coordination of care;(j)
Use of research skills;(k)
Diagnosis of health/illness status;(l)
Prescribing, dispensing, and administration of therapeutic devices and measures, including legend drugs and controlled substances as provided in Division 56 of the Oregon Nurse Practice Act, consistent with the definition of the practitioner’s specialty category and scope of practice.(6)
The nurse practitioner scope of practice includes teaching the theory and practice of advanced practice nursing.(7)
The nurse practitioner is responsible for recognizing limits of knowledge and experience, and for resolving situations beyond his/her nurse practitioner expertise by consulting with or referring clients to other health care providers.(8)
The nurse practitioner will only provide health care services within the nurse practitioner’s scope of practice for which he/she is educationally prepared and for which competency has been established and maintained. Educational preparation includes academic coursework, workshops or seminars, provided both theory and clinical experience are included.(9)
The scope of practice as previously defined is incorporated into the following specialty categories and further delineates the population served:(a)
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP): The acute care nurse practitioner independently provides health care to persons who are acutely or critically ill. The acute care nurse practitioner scope may be further differentiated by care of populations newborn to young adulthood, or adults to older adults. National certification exams for ACNPs are scheduled for retirement on December 31, 2014. Licensees currently holding this title will need to maintain their current state license and national certification to continue recognition of this designation;(b)
Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP): The adult nurse practitioner independently provides health care to adolescents and adults. The adult nurse practitioner scope may be further differentiated by additional competencies in care of older adults. National certification exams for ANPs are scheduled for retirement on December 31, 2014. Licensees currently holding this title will need to maintain their current state license and national certification to continue recognition of this designation;(c)
Adult—Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP): Independently cares for adolescents to older adults that are acutely or critically ill;(d)
Adult—Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP): Independently provides comprehensive primary health care for adolescents to the older adults;(e)
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM): The certified nurse midwife is a nurse practitioner who specializes in midwifery and independently provides health care to women, focusing on pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, and care of the newborn, as well as the family planning and gynecological needs of women. The scope of practice includes treating the male partners of their female clients for sexually transmitted diseases, and reproductive health. Counseling related to sexuality, relationship, and reproductive issues is included in this scope;(f)
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): The family nurse practitioner independently provides health care to families and to persons across the lifespan;(g)
Geriatric Nurse Practitioner (GNP): The geriatric nurse practitioner independently provides health care to older adults. National certification exams for GNPs are scheduled for retirement on December 31, 2014. Licensees currently holding this title will need to maintain their current state license and national certification to continue recognition of this designation;(h)
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP): The neonatal nurse practitioner independently provides health care to neonates and infants;(i)
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP): The pediatric nurse practitioner independently provides health care to persons newborn to young adulthood. In August of 2013 the national certification examination changed their title to Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care (PNP-PC) to more accurately reflect the focus of comprehensive pediatric primary care. All previous PNPs licensees will transition to title of PNP-PC with renewal;(j)
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care (PNP-AC) independently cares for newborns to young adults that are acutely or critically ill;(k)
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP): The psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner independently provides health care to clients with mental and emotional needs and/or disorders. The psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner scope may be further differentiated by care of populations newborn to young adulthood, adolescent to adult, or across the lifespan;(l)
Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHCNP): The women’s health care nurse practitioner independently provides health care to adolescent and adult females. The scope of practice includes treating the male partners of their female clients for sexually transmitted diseases and reproductive health. Counseling related to sexuality, relationship, and reproductive health is included in this scope.
Source:
Rule 851-050-0005 — Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice, https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/view.action?ruleNumber=851-050-0005.