Ala. Admin. Code r. 610-X-6-.03

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 610-X-6-.03 - Standards For Conduct And Accountability

The registered nurse or licensed practical nurse shall:

(1) Have knowledge and understanding of the laws and rules regulating nursing.

(2) Function within the legal scope of nursing practice.

(3) Obtain instruction and supervision as necessary, when implementing new or unfamiliar nursing techniques or practices.

(4) Be responsible and accountable for the quality of nursing care delivered to patients, based on and limited to scope of education, demonstrated competence, and nursing experience.

(5) Be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the quality of patient care delivered by personnel under the individual nurse's supervision.

(6) Be responsible and accountable for the delegation of selected nursing activities in selected situations to unlicensed individuals.

(7) Accept individual responsibility and accountability for judgments, actions, and nursing competency, remaining current with technology and practicing consistent with facility policies and procedures.

(8) Accept individual responsibility and accountability for recognition and appropriate nursing action following a change in the patient's mental or physical status.

(9) Practice in compliance with current CDC Standard Precautions and Infection Control, including aseptic technique.

(10) Practice without discrimination on the basis of age, race, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, patient diagnosis, or disability.

(11) Respect the dignity and rights of patients and their significant others, including, but not limited to:

(a) Privacy.

(b) Safety.

(c) Protection of confidential information, unless disclosure is required by law.

(d) Freedom from exploitation of physical, mental, sexual, or financial boundaries.

(e) Protection of real and personal property.

(f) Behavior that is therapeutic and places the patient's interests before the nurse's interests.

(12) Collaborate with other members of the health care team.

(13) Accept individual responsibility and accountability to avoid personal disruptive behaviors that negatively impact patient care and the nursing profession.

(14) Accept individual responsibility and accountability for timely reporting of illegal, substandard, unethical, unsafe, or incompetent nursing practice directly to the Board of Nursing.

(15) Accept individual responsibility and accountability for accurate, complete, and legible documentation related to:

(a) Patient care records.

(b) Health care employment.

(c) Licensure and other credentials.

(d) Continuing education records.

(16) Accept individual responsibility and accountability for the assignment of tasks to others.

(17) Accept individual responsibility and accountability for proper delegation of nursing care activities to other health care workers.

(18) Assess individual competency when assigning selected components of nursing care to other health care workers, including, but not limited to:

(a) Knowledge, skills, and experience.

(b) Complexity of assigned tasks.

(c) Health status of the patient.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 610-X-6-.03

Filed September 29, 1982. Repealed and New Rule: Filed October 29, 2001; effective December 3, 2001.

Adopted by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIV, Issue No. 10, July 29, 2016, eff. 9/8/2016.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XL, Issue No. 12, September 30, 2022, eff. 11/14/2022.

Rule .02 was renumbered .03 as per certification filed November 23, 2009; effective December 28, 2009.

Author: Alabama Board of Nursing.

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 34-21-2(c)(21), 34-21-25(b).