Professional Identity of the Nurse: Role of the Nurse and Scope of Practice

QUESTION

Title of Assignment

Professional Identity of the Nurse: Role of the Nurse and Scope of Practice

Purpose of Assignment:

According to Larson, Brady, Engelmann, Perkins, and Shultz (2013), “the development of professional identity is a continuous process that begins with admission to the nursing program and evolves throughout one’s professional career in a dynamic and fluid process where interacting relationship of education and practice lead to self-reflection, growth, and human flourishing” (p. 138).

Larson, J., Brady, N., Engelmann, L., Perkins, B., & Shultz, C. (2013). The formation of professional identity in nursing. Nursing Education Perspectives.34 (2). p 138.

Course Competency(s):

Identify roles and responsibilities for safe nursing practice in the healthcare environment.

Explain the roles and scope of practice for members of the intraprofessional team.

Instructions:

This course includes a project with three parts. Each part builds off prior knowledge to help you create your nurse professional identity. In the first part, you examine the role of the nurse and scope of practice, which will help you identify the nurses’ role. In the second part, you describe the importance of the code of ethics in nursing, and examine the standards of nursing practice for the role you are obtaining during the nursing program. The final submission requires you to use the first two parts of your assignment to explain your belief of caring in nursing, describe your professional identity, and identify a potential professional organization that you may join to help support your development.

Content: 

Prepare a two to three page written assignment that includes the following:

• Introduction to the assignment (sections of the assignment; roles of the nurse, scope of practice, compare and contrast scope of practice)
• Describe the roles of the nurse for the program you are currently enrolled
• Identify the scope of practice for the nurse in the state where you intend to practice
• Using the Nurse Practice Act for the state where you intend to practice, 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 credible 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. Be sure to use proper APA format and style.

Format:

• Two to three page written Assignment
• Standard American English (correct grammar, punctuation, etc.)
• Logical, original and insightful
• Professional organization, style, and mechanics in APA format and style

Resources:

Rasmussen College Online Library School of Nursing > Your Career > Boards of Nursing https://guides.rasmussen.edu/nursing/boardsofnursing (locate your board of nursing)

School of Nursing Online Guide > Nursing Research https://guides.rasmussen.edu/nursing

Rasmussen College Online Library School of Nursing > School of Nursing> APA and Writing

https://guides.rasmussen.edu/nursing/apaandwriting

 APA & Writing Help

New to APA?  Watch this video for a brief introduction:

• APA Quick Start

Want a more in-depth introduction to APA?  Watch the 30 minute APA Basics webinar:

• APA in 30 Minutes

Integrating resources into your writing is a crucial writing skill.  Watch this video on how to paraphrase, summarize, and quote resources.

• Integrate outside resources into your academic writing

Learn more about creating a references list and how NoodleTools can help you by watching the webinar below:

• APA Reference List and NoodleTools Software

The APA Guide contains all of the information you need to create a research paper in the APA style, including:

• APA Sample Paper
• APA Paper Template
• Examples of Reference list citations
• In-text citations
• Formatting an APA paper including the cover page

ANSWER

The Role of the Nurse and Scope of Practice: Shaping Professional Identity

Introduction

Professional identity in nursing is a continuous process that evolves through education and practice, contributing to self-reflection, growth, and human flourishing (Larson et al., 2013). Understanding the role of the nurse and the scope of practice is vital for developing a strong professional identity. This assignment examines the roles of nurses, the scope of practice for the intended state of practice, and compares the scope of practice between Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) to support the nurse’s role.

Roles of the Nurse

In the nursing program, nurses play various roles that contribute to safe and effective patient care. These roles include caregiver, communicator, advocate, educator, and collaborator. As caregivers, nurses provide direct care, meet physical and emotional needs, and promote patient well-being. Effective communication skills enable nurses to establish therapeutic relationships, collaborate with the healthcare team, and provide accurate and timely information to patients and their families. Advocacy involves empowering patients, respecting their rights, and ensuring their voices are heard in healthcare decision-making processes. Nurses also educate patients, families, and communities about health promotion, disease prevention, and self-management strategies. Collaboration with interdisciplinary teams fosters holistic care and promotes positive patient outcomes.

Scope of Practice for the Intended State of Practice

The scope of practice for nurses varies among states and is governed by the Nurse Practice Act. For the state of practice, Massachusetts, the Board of Registration in Nursing sets the scope of practice. According to the Nurse Practice Act in Massachusetts, both LPNs and RNs have defined scopes of practice, although they differ in terms of responsibilities and autonomous decision-making. The scope of practice encompasses areas such as assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care, medication administration, health education, and collaboration with the healthcare team.

Comparison of LPN and RN Scope of Practice

Comparing the scope of practice between LPNs and RNs is essential to understand the differences and responsibilities associated with each role. In Massachusetts, LPNs provide direct patient care, administer medications, monitor patient conditions, and assist with nursing interventions under the supervision of an RN or physician. They typically work in structured settings, such as long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and clinics. In contrast, RNs have a broader scope of practice, including the ability to perform comprehensive assessments, make clinical judgments, develop care plans, administer medications, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals. RNs often work in various healthcare settings, such as hospitals, clinics, community health, and specialty areas.

Conclusion

Understanding the roles of the nurse and the scope of practice is crucial for developing a professional identity in nursing. By embracing the caregiver, communicator, advocate, educator, and collaborator roles, nurses can provide holistic and patient-centered care. Recognizing the scope of practice within the intended state of practice, such as Massachusetts, empowers nurses to deliver safe and competent care while adhering to legal and ethical standards. Continuous learning and professional development are essential for nurses to adapt to evolving healthcare environments and strengthen their professional identity.

References

Larson, J., Brady, N., Engelmann, L., Perkins, B., & Shultz, C. (2013). The formation of professional identity in nursing. Nursing Education Perspectives, 34(2), 138-143.