Guideline: responsibilities for direction and delegation of care to enrolled nurses

As a result of the changes to the enrolled nurse scope of practice the Nursing Council has developed two new guidelines to replace the Guideline: direction and delegation (2008). 

Following consultation the Council decided to separate its advice so it could provide greater clarity on the new enrolled nurse scope of practice and the resulting changes to the relationship between registered nurses and enrolled nurses.  A broadening of the enrolled nurse scope of practice to include more activities and responsibilities changes the way this relationship is described.  For an analysis of the 42 submissions received on the draft guideline click here.

The new guideline for enrolled nurses contains advice on how enrolled nurses can practise in the new scope of practice including:

• Advice on working as part of a team with a registered nurse with acutely ill health consumers. 
• Clarification of responsibilities in initial assessment and ongoing assessment.    
• A new definition of supervision by a registered nurse when an enrolled nurse is working under direction of another health practitioner that clarifies that the relationship is similar to periodic professional supervision.
• Advice for enrolled nurses who may coordinate the workload for a team of health care assistants in some settings.
• Advice regarding working with enrolled nurses who do not complete the transition to the new scope of practice.

Click here for Guideline: responsibilities for direction and delegation of care to enrolled nurses.

Guideline: delegation of care by a registered nurse to a health care assistant (click here)

Minor changes have been made to the content of this guideline. 

The new flowchart which is included in both guidelines will be available to download in an A3 format from our website shortly.

Extension of transition timeframe for some enrolled nurses

Nurse affected by the Christchurch earthquakes have been given an extension of time until 1 January to complete the transition.  This also included nurses on the West Coast who are completing the transition with Canterbury District Health Board.  All other enrolled nurses are expected to complete the transition by 1 July 2011.  For more information on the enrolled nurse scope of practice and transition requirements please click here. 

Regards

Pam Doole
Acting Chief Executive