TITLE:
Conceptualizing an expanded role for RNs
AUTHORS:
Glenn Donnelly, Liz Domm
KEYWORDS:
RN Role; RN Scope of Practice; RN Domains of Practice
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Nursing,
Vol.4 No.2,
February
7,
2014
ABSTRACT:
In our changing health care
system, the role of registered nurses (RNs) has become indistinguishable from
other nursing and health care providers’ roles. The purpose of this research
was to explore the perspectives of nurse leaders and direct care RNs about the
existing and future RN scope of practice. This research used an interpretive
description analysis on data that was garnered from nurse leaders and RNs
through separate focus groups. Participants identified existing threats to
their roles, examined their scope of practice and proposed changes to the RN
scope of practice. Specific areas that were identified included leadership,
advocacy and expansion of RNs practices were dominant themes.