Nursing Council of New Zealand Registered Nurse Scope of Practice and Prescribed Qualifications Amendment Notice 2024
Pursuant to sections 11(1) and 12(1) of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (“Act”), the following notice is given.
(1) This notice may be cited as the Nursing Council of New Zealand Registered Nurse Scope of Practice and Prescribed Qualifications Amendment Notice 2024.
(2) This notice comes into effect on 20 January 2025.
(3) On 20 January 2025, this notice revokes and replaces the Nursing Council of New Zealand Registered Nurse Scope of Practice and Prescribed Qualifications Amendment Notice 2023 published in the New Zealand Gazette, 25 October 2023, Notice No. 2023-gs5021.
Dated at Wellington this 12th day of November 2024.
CATHERINE BYRNE, Registrar, Nursing Council of New Zealand.
Under sections 11 and 12 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, the Nursing Council of New Zealand (“Council”) is required to describe the scopes of practice for nursing in New Zealand and prescribe the qualifications for each scope of practice.
The registered nurse scope of practice statement needed revision to align with changes to the enrolled nurse scope of practice and to link with revised standards of competence for registered nurses. A design group was established to work with the Council on the standards and revisions to the scope of practice statement, drawn from the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, educators and employers of registered nurses.
In 2024, the Council undertook extensive engagement on the revised registered nurse scope statement and standards of competence for enrolled and registered nurses. This involved two rounds of public consultation which elicited widespread feedback. The Council also obtained feedback through extensive engagement with organisations and individual nurses through a series of face-to-face and virtual hui with stakeholders.
The Council listened and responded to feedback from the first round of consultation in early 2024. This resulted in further consultation in July and August 2024 on revisions to the scope of practice statement and standards of competence. The latest consultation resulted in widespread support for the changes, with 76% of respondents endorsing the registered nurse scope of practice statement.
The registered nurse scope of practice statement has been revised to reflect the feedback received through engagement and consultation. The new scope statement includes the addition of clear reference to te ao Māori and culturally safe practice, uses similar language as the enrolled nurse scope of practice statement where expectations are the same, and removes the requirement to delegate and direct to enrolled nurses. Registered nurses are required to provide access to support and guidance to enrolled nurses, and direct and delegate to others in the healthcare team. The reference to general nursing functions has been moved to a footnote.
Registered nurses in Aotearoa New Zealand incorporate knowledge, concepts and worldviews of both tangata whenua and tangata tiriti into practice. Registered nurses uphold and enact ngā mātāpono – principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, based on the Kawa Whakaruruhau framework and cultural safety, promoting equity, inclusion, diversity, and rights of Māori as tangata whenua. These concepts also relate to Pacific peoples and all population groups to support quality services that are culturally safe and responsive.
Registered nurses are accountable and responsible for their nursing practice, ensuring that all health care provided is consistent with their education, assessed competence, relevant legislative requirements, and is guided by the Nursing Council of New Zealand’s standards for registered nurses.
Registered nurses use substantial scientific and nursing knowledge to inform comprehensive assessments, determine health needs, develop differential diagnoses, plan care and determine appropriate interventions. Interventions are evaluated to assess care outcomes based on clinical judgement and scientific and professional knowledge.
Registered nurses practise independently and in collaboration with individuals, their whānau, communities, and the interprofessional healthcare team, to deliver equitable person/whānau/ whakapapa-centred nursing care across the life span in all settings. Registered nurses may also use their expertise in areas and roles such as leadership, management, education, policy and research. Conditions may be placed on the scope of practice of some registered nurses, dependent on their qualifications and/or experience, limiting them to a specific area of practice. Nurses who have additional experience and have completed the required education will be authorised by the Council to prescribe some medicines within their area of practice and level of competence.
Registered nurses are responsible and accountable for directing and delegating to members of the healthcare team. Registered nurses provide support and guidance to enrolled nurses.
For the avoidance of doubt in other legislation where nurse is defined, this scope of practice includes general nursing and nursing functions.