Education programme standards for the registered nurse scope of practice

In 2008 the Council requested that the Education programme standards for the registered nurse scope of practice be reviewed to ensure their currency and efficacy in preparing safe and competent new graduate registered nurses.   A comprehensive consultation process was initially undertaken within the sector. A draft set of standards were developed and these were circulated and available for consultation on the Council website during May and June 2010. The final Education programme standards for the registered nurse scope of practice standards were approved by the Council in July 2010 for implementation by February 2012.

Please click here for the Education programme standards for the registered nurse scope of practice.

Consultation on the Education programme standards for the registered nurse scope of practice

The first round of consultation involved focus group interviews either using the programme standards as a framework or questionnaire. In total over 500 individuals were interviewed or completed the questionnaire. Based on the findings of the first round of consultation a set of draft standards was prepared. A web based consultation was then undertaken on the draft standards. Twenty nine submissions were received.

The feedback was analysed and the recommendations for changes in the draft standards were considered in relation to the findings of the first round of consultation. Based on the feedback some changes were made to the draft standards. The final Education programme standards for the registered nurse scope of practice were approved by the Council in July 2010 for implementation by February 2012.

Please click here for the Report on the review of the education programme standards for the registered nurse scope of practice including analysis of the first and second round of consultation.