What Life Care Planners Need to Know About the Professional Discipline of Registered Nurse

This article provides a framework for determining the qualifications of the registered nurse (RN) to make opinions regarding treatment recommendations in the development of a life care plan. A brief history of nursing and the current definition of nursing is provided. Education for the undergraduate prepared RN, graduate prepared masters or doctorate nurse, and advance practice nurse is discussed. Practice parameters including licensure, the Nurse Practice Act, scope of practice, standards of practice, standards of performance, code of ethics, and nursing diagnoses are reviewed. A decision-making framework is outlined to assist in evaluating whether nursing actions are within of the scope of nursing practice. Experience obtained through specialty roles, credentialing, and work experience are recognized as additional foundations of expertise. All these factors must be taken into consideration when evaluating whether the RN is qualified to opine in any area or category of a life care plan. Keywords: Registered nurse, RN, Nursing education, Nurse Practice Act, Scope of nursing practice, Standards of performance, Nursing diagnoses, Specialty roles, Credentialing, Qualifications to opine, Life Care Plan