Nursing Standards and Regulations

Regulations and Standards in Nursing

• Multiple organizations set standards for nursing care, including the American Nurses Association (ANA), state Nurse Practice Acts, agency policies and procedures, federal regulators, and other professional nursing organizations.
• These standards ensure safe and competent care is provided to the public.

American Nurses Association (ANA) Standards

• The ANA publishes two resources that set standards and guide professional nursing practice in the United States:
  • The Code of Ethics for Nurses
  • Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice
• The Code of Ethics for Nurses establishes an ethical framework for nursing practice across all roles, levels, and settings.

Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice

• This resource describes a professional nurse’s scope of practice and defines the who, what, where, when, why, and how of nursing.
• It sets 18 standards of professional practice that all registered nurses are expected to perform competently.
• The "who" of nursing practice refers to nurses who have been educated, titled, and maintain active licensure to practice nursing.
• The "what" of nursing is defined as integrating the art and science of caring, focusing on health and human functioning, preventing illness and injury, facilitating healing, and alleviating suffering through compassionate presence.
• Nursing involves diagnosing and treating human responses and advocating for individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations, recognizing the connection of all humanity.

Learn about the organizations and resources that set standards for nursing care, including the American Nurses Association and state Nurse Practice Acts, to ensure safe and competent care.