Standard of practice, also known as standard of care, is the level of practice expected from a reasonably prudent nurse. Professional organizations have roles to play in settings standards. One of the ways that this is done is through certification. Certification is not only a way of recognizing achievement but also a strategy of ensuring proper experience and skill level is attained by nurses before they can be involved in major work (Croke, 2003). These organizations also describe the national standards that nurses are held accountable to regardless of membership in these organizations or awareness of their existence.
An example of this is the American Nurses Association (ANA). This organization publishes the overall standards required for nursing practice. Others include the Pediatric Nurses Association and the Association of Women’s Health.
It is the duty of nurses to remain abreast of legislative changes that may affect practice. The members of the Nursing Commission panel may decide which actions are necessary and whether they are formal or informal (SGNA, 2009; WSNA, 2012). Formal actions are handled through a Statement of Charges. Informal charges are handled through Stipulation to Informal Discipline. The hospital and nurse are informed through a legal document. The document identifies the incidents of violation and lists the precise statutes that have been violated. The document also lets the hospital decide how they would like to proceed (Roberts, 1999). The hospital must respond within the first twenty days after the document is sent via mail. If a response is not received within that time, the commission assumes that the hospital does not wish to contest the charges. This results to a waiver of the hospital’s right to adjudicative hearing.
References
Croke, E. M. (2003). Nurses, Negligence, and Malpractice. AJN, American Journal of Nursing, 103(9), 54-63.
Roberts, M. E. (1999). Advanced Practice Nursing Professional Role Development. American Journal of Nursing, 99(6), 24PP.
SGNA. (2009). Standards of Clinical Nursing Practice and Role Delineations. Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, Inc., 1(2), 1-23.
WSNA. (2012). Your Nurse Practice Act and the Disciplinary Process: A Handbook for nurses. Washington State Nurses Association, 3(5), 1-12.
