Scope of Practice Framework for Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners
The Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses1 is the regulatory body for nurses in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). The mandate of the College is to protect the public through self-regulation of the profession in accordance with the Nurses Act and Regulations. This document is intended to define scope of practice for the profession2 and the individual RN/NP3. It can also be utilized when RNs/NPs consider whether a competency or intervention falls within their individual scope of practice and whether they should perform that competency/intervention. The scope of practice principles within this document apply to all RNs/NPs in all practice settings, including RNs/NPs working within the provincial health authority (PHA), within an organization or non-traditional role outside of the PHA, or in self-employment4 (including contract work).
To assist RNs/NPs to further understand and reflect on scope of practice, the College has developed a number of supporting documents that can be used in conjunction with the Scope of Practice Framework, which are found on the College’s website.
Defining Scope of Practice
The College defines scope of practice as the range of roles, functions, responsibilities, and activities for which RNs and NPs are educated, authorized, and competent to perform.
Nursing roles are continually evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of client populations and the health care system and to reflect changes in legislation, regulation, and educational advancements. In NL, the scope of practice of the profession is impacted by:
- the Nurses Act and Regulations, other relevant federal and provincial legislation
- Code of Professional Conduct, NP Standards, Entry Level Competencies, and relevant College documents
- other standards (e.g., specialty standards).
Further, individual RN/NP scope of practice is influenced by:
- individual competency shaped by continuing education and experience
- specific competencies required of the RN/NP
- employer authorization to perform specific nursing competencies provided through employer policies, role/job descriptions, and/or care directives, etc.
- practice setting
- needs and health goals of the client(s).
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- Herein referred to as the “College” ↩︎
- Use of profession in this document is limited to RNs and NPs. ↩︎
- RN/NP will be used when referring to scope of practice principles for both. Scope of practice principles for either the individual RN and NP will be referred to individually as scope of practice of RN or NP. ↩︎
- RNs/NPs who are self-employed or are employed outside of the PHA must have guidelines and/or policies to outline what nursing services they will provide in their practice. See the College’s most current version of the Self-Employment document. ↩︎