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Weekly Q&A: Ensure organizationwide nurse autonomy and national standard adherence

HCPro's Weekly Update on the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®*, May 23, 2006

This week, a reader asks how to ensure nurse autonomy and compliance with national nursing standards in all practice settings. Read the response below from our advisor, Katherine Riley, MSN, RN, CNA,BC, assistant vice president, operations, and ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® coordinator, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, Bennington.

Q: How might I ensure that nurses practice with autonomy and adhere to national standards of nursing in all practice areas?

A: Nurses in all practice settings-from traditional nursing units to nonnursing departments, such as radiology-must adhere to the same professional nursing standards. Autonomy in practice must be supported, regardless of the practice setting. The nursing department structure-standards, which are the policies that define the scope and practice of nursing within the organization, must apply to nurses and nursing practice throughout the organization. The professional practice model, or shared decision-making model within the organization should include representation from nurses in all practice settings. As policies and procedures affecting nursing practice are developed or revised, care should be taken to ensure that there is input from nurses within those nontraditional settings and that education regarding policy and procedure change include nurses practicing in those areas.

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