Excerpt from the Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice:
Scope of Practice
Nursing is an independent profession that is accountable for serving the community. The authority of nursing is based upon a contract with society derived from a complex social base. Within the context of this contract, society grants the profession considerable autonomy to manage its own affairs
Specialization marks the advancement of nursing practice. It signifies that nursing has moved from a global approach to a focus on defined areas within the practice that require specialized knowledge and skills. The foundation of specialty practice is based on the knowledge gained from general nursing education and a concentrated study in a selected clinical area of nursing. Consequently, a specialist is also a generalist, but a generalist has not acquired the knowledge and skill in a defined area to be designated a specialist.
The infusion nurse specialist is a registered nurse (RN) who, through study, supervised practice, and validation of competency, has acquired knowledge and developed skills necessary for the practice of infusion nursing.
Infusion nursing practice is a dynamic process. The scope of infusion nursing is defined by anatomy and physiology as well as treatment modalities and technology; it encompasses the patient, nurse, and practice setting.
The Patient
Patients receiving infusion therapy represent a diversity of diagnoses and varying severity of illness. These patients are of all ages, from the neonate to the geriatric person. The care of the patient receiving infusion therapy includes collaboration with the patient’s family and/or significant others.
The Nurse
The infusion nurse, having acquired knowledge and skill in infusion nursing, may be a registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) under the direct supervision of the RN. The infusion nurse is accountable for practicing within the defined scope of practice for the RN or LPN/LVN and is committed to providing safe, quality infusion nursing care. The infusion nurse's practice is based upon the following:
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Knowledge of anatomy and physiology
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Specific knowledge and understanding of the vascular system and its relationship with other body systems and infusion treatment modalities
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Participation in the establishment of the patient’s ongoing plan of care Skills necessary for the administration of infusion therapies
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Knowledge of state-of-the-art technologies associated with infusion therapies
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Knowledge of psychosocial aspects of care, including a sensitivity to the patient's wholeness, uniqueness, and significant social relationships, along with knowledge of community and economic resources
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Interaction and collaboration with members of the healthcare team and participation in the clinical decision-making process
The infusion nurse should develop, implement, and adhere to infusion policies and procedures based on the Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice. The infusion nurse should collaborate with or participate in committees that regulate the practice of infusion nursing and interact with other members of the healthcare team to provide safe, quality infusion therapy.
The infusion nurse utilizes the nursing process. This process includes assessment, problem identification or nursing diagnosis, communication, implementation, and evaluation. The infusion nurse collects data, prioritizes patient problems and needs, develops and implements care plans, and evaluates patient outcomes.
The infusion nurse should advance the specialty practice of infusion nursing through active participation in education, research, and development of new technologies. The sharing of information is critical to the advancement of the profession; thus, the infusion nurse is encouraged to communicate through professional publications and other forums. Participation in the development of specialty practice policies on the organizational, professional, and legislative levels is incumbent upon the infusion nurse specialist.
The Scope of Practice statements provide a definition and framework for the practice of infusion nursing. The Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice represent an extension of the scope of practice and offer specific criteria essential to the delivery of safe, competent, and quality infusion therapy.
QUICK LINK: Foreword | Philosophy | Scope of Practice
