Washington Administrative Code › Title 246 - Health, Department of › PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND LICENSING › Chapter 246-840 - Practical and registered nursing › PRACTICE STANDARDS › Section 246-840-705 - Functions of a registered nurse and a licensed practical nurse

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
Registered Nurses:
(2)
Licensed Practical
								  Nurses:
The registered nurse performs acts that require
								  substantial knowledge, judgment and skill based on the principles of
								  biological, behavioral, health, and nursing sciences. Such acts are grounded in
								  the elements of the nursing process which includes, but is not limited to, the
								  assessment, analysis, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation of
								  nursing care and health teaching in the maintenance and the promotion of health
								  or prevention of illness of others and the support of a dignified death. The
								  registered nurse using specialized knowledge can perform the activities of
								  administration, supervision, delegation and evaluation of nursing practice;
								  and
The licensed practical nurse performs services
								  requiring knowledge, skill and judgment necessary for carrying out selected
								  aspects of the designated nursing regimen. The licensed practical nurse
								  recognizes and is able to meet the basic needs of the client, and gives nursing
								  care under the direction and supervision, to clients in
routine
nursing situations. A routine nursing situation is one that is relatively free
								  of complexity, and the clinical and behavioral state of the client is
								  relatively stable, requires care based upon a comparatively fixed and limited
								  body of knowledge. In
complex
nursing care situations the licensed
								  practical nurse functions as an assistant to the registered nurse and
								  facilitates client care by carrying out selected aspects of the designated
								  nursing regimen to assist the registered nurse in the performance of nursing
								  care; and
(3)
Registered Nurses:
(4)
Licensed Practical
								  Nurses:
The registered nurse functions in an
independent role
when utilizing the nursing process as defined in
								  WAC 246-840-700(2) 
								  to meet the complex needs of the client.
The licensed practical nurse functions in an
interdependent
role to deliver care as directed and assists in the
								  revision of care plans in collaboration with the registered nurse.
The licensed practical nurse functions in a
dependent
role when executing a medical regimen under the
								  direction and supervision of an advanced registered nurse practitioner,
								  licensed physician and/or surgeon, dentist, osteopathic physician and/or
								  surgeon, physician assistant, osteopathic physician assistant, podiatric
								  physician and/or surgeon, or naturopathic physician. A licensed practical nurse
								  may not accept delegation of acts not within his or her scope of
								  practice.
In an interdependent role as a member of a health
								  care team, the registered nurse functions to coordinate and evaluate the care
								  of the client and independently revises the plan and delivery of nursing
								  care.
The registered nurse functions in an
								  interdependent
role
when executing a medical regimen under the
								  direction of an advanced registered nurse practitioner, licensed physician
								  and/or surgeon, dentist, osteopathic physician and/or surgeon, physician
								  assistant, osteopathic physician assistant, podiatric physician and/or surgeon,
								  or naturopathic physician. A registered nurse may not accept delegation of acts
								  not within his or her scope of practice.
This shall not be construed as authorizing an
								  independent role for the LPN.
Statutory Authority:
						RCW
						18.79.110. 02-06-117, § 246-840-705,
						filed 3/6/02, effective 4/6/02. Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.79 RCW.
						97-13-100, § 246-840-705, filed 6/18/97, effective
						7/19/97.