Section 1300.360  RN Scope of Practice

The RN scope of nursing practice is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, the prevention of illness and injury, the development and implementation of the nursing plan of care, the facilitation of nursing interventions to alleviate suffering, care coordination, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations.  Practice as an RN means this full scope of nursing, with or without compensation, that incorporates caring for all patients in all settings, through nursing standards of practice and professional performance for coordination of care, and may include, but is not limited to, all of the following:

a)         Collecting pertinent data and information relative to the patient's health or the situation on an ongoing basis through the comprehensive nursing assessment.

b)         Analyzing comprehensive nursing assessment data to determine actual or potential diagnoses, problems, and issues.

c)         Identifying expected outcomes for a plan individualized to the patient or the situation that prescribes strategies to attain expected, measurable outcomes.

d)         Implementing the identified plan, coordinating care delivery, employing strategies to promote healthy and safe environments, and administering or delegating medication administration according to Section 50-75 of the Act.

e)         Evaluating patient progress toward attainment of goals and outcomes.

f)         Delegating nursing interventions to implement the plan of care.

g)         Providing health education and counseling.

h)         Advocating for the patient.

i)          Practicing ethically according to the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics.

j)          Practicing in a manner that recognizes cultural diversity.

k)         Communicating effectively in all areas of practice.

l)          Collaborating with patients and other key stakeholders in the conduct of nursing practice.

m)        Participating in continuous professional development.

n)         Teaching the theory and practice of nursing to student nurses.

o)         Leading within the professional practice setting and the profession.

p)         Contributing to quality nursing practice.

q)         Integrating evidence and research findings into practice.

r)          Utilizing appropriate resources to plan, provide, and sustain evidence-based nursing services that are safe and effective.  (Section 60-35 of the Act)

(Source:  Amended at 45 Ill. Reg. 228, effective January 4, 2021)