(a) The Texas Board of Nursing (BON or Board) recognizes
that changes in health care delivery have and will continue to influence
the way nursing care is delivered. The Board believes that the registered
nurse (RN) is in a unique position to develop and implement a nursing
plan of care that incorporates a professional relationship between
the RN and the client. The Board recognizes that the RN's responsibility
may vary from that of the nurse providing care at the bedside of an
acutely ill client to that of the nurse managing health care delivery
in institutional and community settings. Assessment of the nursing
needs of the client, the plan of nursing actions, implementation of
the plan, and evaluation are essential components of professional
nursing practice and are the responsibilities of the RN.
(b) The full utilization of the services of an RN,
to include advanced practice registered nurses (APRN), may require
delegation of selected nursing tasks to unlicensed personnel. The
scope of delegation and the level of supervision by the RN may vary
depending on the setting, the complexity of the task, the skills and
experience of the unlicensed person, and the client's physical and
mental status. The following sections govern the RN in delegating
nursing tasks to unlicensed personnel across a variety of settings
where nursing care services are delivered.
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