Additional evidence requirements for nurses in expanded practice

Expansion of the registered nurse scope of practice occurs when a nurse with demonstrated nursing expertise assumes responsibility for a health care activity or role which is currently outside their scope of practice.  Expanded practice may include areas of practice that have not previously been in the nursing realm or have been the responsibility of other health professionals.

Competencies have been developed to describe the skills and knowledge of nurses working in expanded practice roles. These competencies are additional to those that already describe the registered nurse scope of practice.  A nurse working in an expanded practice role would need to meet both sets of competencies.

For recertification audit nurses in expanded practice must supply additional evidence that they meet the three additional competencies.  This could include evidence of a credentialing process or documents that demonstrate the competencies, e.g. education or clinical training, competence assessment, clinical audit activities, etc.  For more information on expanded practice and the additional competencies please click here.  (Link to the Guideline: Expanded practice for registered nurses)