Ideas for Further Exploration
1. Using your state’s nursing practice act, describe the scope of
practice of the RN. When was the last time the law was
modified? Does it accurately reflect current nursing practice?
2. Read the section of the nursing practice act relating to advanced
practice. What differences are identified between the scope of
practice of the general RN and that of the advanced practice
nurse?
3. If a physician writes a prescription for an unusually high dose of
a medication, what steps should the nurse take to ensure patient
safety?
4. What are the liability issues for a nurse who fails to raise the side
rails on a postoperative patient’s bed if the patient is injured in a
fall?
5. Do you have an advance directive in place? Think about what
you would want if you become incapacitated. Write your wishes
down, and then consider taking whatever steps your state
requires to create an official advance directives document. Be
willing to have that “hard conversation” about end-of-life
wishes with your family or close friends.
6. It will not be long before you will be interviewing for your first
nursing position. What questions should you ask to determine
whether it is a legally safe se
