Health Standards in NRAS and ICN Ethics

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary role of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)?

To provide financial assistance to nursing students

To run training programs for aspiring midwives

To oversee the placement of nurses in hospitals

To maintain the register of nurses and assist in their accreditation (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a reason for mandatory notifications to be made to AHPRA?

A nurse fails to follow dietary instructions provided by patients (correct)

A student shows signs of impairment that may affect their clinical training

Another health practitioner is believed to have committed notifiable conduct

A nurse has demonstrated notifiable conduct

When can a person make a notification about a nurse or nursing student?

Only registered nurses can make notifications

Notifications can only be made to the nursing school

Notifications can only be made during business hours

Any person may make a notification regarding a nurse or nursing student (correct)

Which of the following is a task the NMBA does NOT perform?

Conducting private investigations into health services Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the NMBA's register of nurses?

To provide public access to information about registered nurses Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about notifications is true?

A nurse may make representations regarding the notification Signup and view all the answers

What type of conduct qualifies as 'notifiable conduct'?

A nurse is suspected of substance abuse affecting practice Signup and view all the answers

Which of these individuals is NOT obligated to make a mandatory notification to AHPRA?

A health service provider concerned about a business practice Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the health pathway regarding a nurse or student with an impairment?

To ensure that the nurse or student can continue their practice while managing their impairment. Signup and view all the answers

Which condition constitutes an impairment for a nurse according to the statutory definition?

A physical or mental condition that detrimentally affects nursing capacity. Signup and view all the answers

What happens if a health assessor concludes that a nurse is impaired?

The relevant authority will negotiate treatment and restrictions with the nurse. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main aim of the performance pathway?

To achieve the successful remediation of a nurse's professional performance. Signup and view all the answers

What action must be taken if a significant public health or safety issue is raised during a performance review?

The performance review must be terminated. Signup and view all the answers

What is required to be communicated to the nurse after a decision regarding their professional performance?

A written statement of decision and reasons within one month. Signup and view all the answers

How can a nurse respond to a decision made in relation to their performance?

They can appeal to the Tribunal and subsequently to the Supreme Court. Signup and view all the answers

Visibility of the health notifications for a nurse with an impairment is primarily characterized by which attribute?

The dealings are strictly confidential. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of establishing the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) in 2010?

To ensure health professionals are registered against national professional standards Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of the NRAS for health professionals in Australia?

It enables easier mobility across different states for health professionals Signup and view all the answers

Which document serves as a guide for ethical action in nursing based on social values?

ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses Signup and view all the answers

Which element is NOT one of the four principal elements of the ICN Code of Ethics?

Nurses and their communities Signup and view all the answers

What may happen to Registered Nurses (RNs) who fail to adhere to the codes and standards?

They can be struck off from the register Signup and view all the answers

Why must nursing students adhere to codes and standards during their pre-registration training?

To ensure compliance with established professional conduct Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of not adhering to performance and conduct standards for an RN?

Difficulty in obtaining future employment Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about NRAS is correct?

NRAS facilitates consistent legislation across states for health practitioners Signup and view all the answers

What factors influence whether a conduct complaint against a nurse may be prosecuted?

The likelihood of proving the complaint Signup and view all the answers

Which type of complaints are most serious and heard before the Tribunal?

Complaints that could lead to suspension or deregistration Signup and view all the answers

What action can the Tribunal take if a complaint against a nurse is proven?

Impose conditions on the nurse's registration Signup and view all the answers

As part of the Tribunal's actions, which of the following may they order a nurse to do?

Report on their practice Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Tribunal in the context of conduct complaints against nurses?

To review and possibly repeal decisions made by lower authorities Signup and view all the answers

Do investigative actions negate or prevent laying criminal charges for misconduct?

No, they do not negate the charges Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a typical outcome if a complaint against a nurse is proven?

Release from all supervisory roles Signup and view all the answers

What is the Tribunal's main concern when considering complaints against nurses?

The protection of public health and safety Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes unsatisfactory professional conduct for a registered health practitioner?

Possessing less knowledge or skill than required by peers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a criterion for professional misconduct in New South Wales?

Conduct that meets public and peer expectations Signup and view all the answers

According to professional misconduct standards in Western Australia, which is a key aspect?

Multiple instances that collectively indicate significant misconduct Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of professional misconduct?

Can justify suspension or cancellation of registration Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following indicates conduct that may be considered professional misconduct?

Recurrent failure to meet expected professional standards Signup and view all the answers

What defines the threshold for unsatisfactory professional conduct?

Care exercised or skills that are below expected standards Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes unprofessional conduct from professional misconduct in Western Australia?

Connectiveness to practice or lack thereof Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to be considered a fit and proper person in the context of professional conduct?

To maintain behavior in line with public expectations for health practitioners Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)

Primary Role: The NMBA sets the standards for the practice of nurses and midwives in Australia, ensuring they meet required competency levels.

Mandatory Notifications

Reasons for Notification: The NMBA requires mandatory notifications to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for a range of situations, including when a nurse is incompetent or unsatisfactory, or when they are impaired by a mental or physical condition, illness, or substance abuse.
Who can make a notification: Anyone can make a notification about a nurse or nursing student if they have concerns about their practice.
What is NOT a reason for mandatory notification: A nurse's personal opinion about a colleague's practice is not a reason for mandatory notification.

NMBA's Responsibilities

Tasks the NMBA does NOT perform: The NMBA does not employ registered nurses.

Register of Nurses

Purpose: The NMBA maintains a register of nurses, which is a publically accessible database that lists all registered nurses in Australia.

Notifications

Key Fact: A notification can be made to AHPRA by any individual, regardless of their profession.
Type of conduct that qualifies as ‘notifiable conduct’: Any conduct that raises concerns about a nurse's competence, health, or conduct. This includes impairment, unsatisfactory practice, incompetence, and unprofessional conduct.
Individuals NOT obligated to make a notification: Patients and their families are not legally required to make mandatory notifications.

Health Pathway & Impairment

Primary goal of the health pathway: The health pathway focuses on protecting the public, helping nurses with impairments, and enabling them to safely return to practice.
Condition constituting impairment: Any physical or mental condition that interferes with a nurse's ability to practice safely and effectively. This includes drug or alcohol dependence, mental illness, and significant physical disability.
Actions following a health assessment: If a health assessor determines that a nurse is impaired, they recommend a course of action to the NMBA, such as supervision, treatment, or a suspension of practice.

Performance Pathway

Main aim: The performance pathway aims to support nurses to improve their practice.
Action required for significant health and safety issues: If a performance review identifies significant public health or safety concerns regarding a nurse's practice, a mandatory notification must be made to AHPRA.
Communication following performance review: Following a performance review, nurses must be informed about any decisions made regarding their practice, including any restrictions or conditions imposed on their registration.
Nurse's response to performance decisions: Nurses have the right to appeal if they disagree with a decision made about their practice.

Visibility of Health Notifications

Visibility: Health notifications for a nurse with an impairment are primarily visible to authorised professionals within the health system.

National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS)

Purpose: The NRAS was established in 2010 to create a national system for regulating health practitioners across Australia, promoting national consistency and encouraging mobility.
Advantage for health professionals: The NRAS allows health professionals to practice in any state or territory without having to re-register, facilitating easy movement across the country.

Codes and Standards

Ethical guide for nursing: The International Council of Nurses (ICN) Code of Ethics serves as a guiding document for ethical action in nursing.
Four principal elements of ICN Code of Ethics: The four key elements include (1) Nurses and people, (2) Nurses and practice, (3) Nurses and the profession, and (4) Nurses and co-workers.
Consequences for RNs not adhering to codes/standards: Failure to adhere to codes and standards can lead to disciplinary action, including suspension or cancellation of registration.
Requirement for nursing students: Nursing students must adhere to codes and standards because they are preparing for professional practice and must learn to uphold ethical conduct from the start.
Potential consequences for non-adherence: Non-compliance with performance and conduct standards for an RN can result in disciplinary action such as imposition of conditions, suspension of registration, or cancellation of registration.

NRAS

Key fact: The NRAS aims to harmonize the regulation of health practitioners across Australia to improve consistency between jurisdictions.

Conduct Complaints

Factors impacting prosecution: Factors influencing the prosecution of a conduct complaint against a nurse include the severity of the conduct, the nurse's history of complaints, and whether the conduct is likely to occur again.
Most serious complaints: Complaints considered most serious, such as those involving serious harm to patients, are often handled by the Tribunal.
Tribunal's actions for proven complaints: The Tribunal can take various actions, such as imposing conditions on registration, suspending registration, or cancelling registration.
Actions the Tribunal may order a nurse to do: One of the Tribunal's possible actions includes mandatory participation in education or training.
Tribunal's role: The Tribunal is responsible for hearing and deciding on conduct complaints against nurses.
Investigative actions vs. criminal charges: Investigative actions taken by the NMBA or AHPRA do not negate or prevent separate legal charges for criminal misconduct.
Outcome if complaint proven: A typical outcome of a proven complaint could include conditions imposed on practice, suspension, or cancellation of registration. The Tribunal will consider the severity of the misconduct and the potential risk to patients.

Tribunal's Concerns

Primary concern: The Tribunal's primary concern is the safety of the public.

Unsatisfactory Professional Conduct & Professional Misconduct

Unsatisfactory professional conduct: This encompasses conduct that falls below the acceptable standards for a registered health practitioner. Examples include inadequate skills, poor documentation, or failing to maintain patient confidentiality.
Criterion NOT applicable for professional misconduct in NSW: Personal opinions and professional disagreements are not considered a basis for professional misconduct.
Key aspect for professional misconduct in WA: Deliberate disregard for patient safety is a key aspect of professional misconduct in Western Australia.
Consequence of professional misconduct: Professional misconduct can lead to various disciplinary actions, including conditions on registration, suspension, or cancellation.
Conduct that may be considered professional misconduct: Abusive or violent behavior toward patients, sexual misconduct, falsifying records, or neglecting duties are examples of misconduct.
Threshold for unsatisfactory professional conduct: The conduct must fall below the acceptable standard of care for a registered health practitioner, and it must have potential to harm patients.
Distinguishing unprofessional conduct from professional misconduct: Unprofessional conduct is generally considered to be less serious, and may involve behaviour that is unbecoming or unprofessional but not necessarily harmful. Professional misconduct involves acts that put patient safety at risk.
'Fit and proper person' principle: Being a 'fit and proper person' signifies a professional's ability to practice safely, adhering to codes and standards. It involves moral character, competency, and suitability for practicing in the profession.

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Description

This quiz covers the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) established in 2010, focusing on its importance for health practitioners in Australia and the standards set for Registered Nurses. It also explores the ICN Code of Ethics and its application in various healthcare settings, emphasizing the ethical responsibilities of nurses.