Care directives

The interven- tions outlined must be within the scope of practice of the registered nurse who will be implementing the care directive. [...] The purpose of a care directive is to provide safe, timely, effective and efficient client care, using the expertise of the authorized prescriber and the healthcare professional that uses discretion and judgment when implementing them. [...] The development of CD policies, including the determination of competency requirements, should be developed in collaboration with members of the health team affected by the care directive and the autho- rized prescriber. [...] However, they are also accountable to acquire and maintain a level of competence required for the ongoing provi- sion of safe and effective care and expected to recognize the limits of their practice and competence. [...] Factors influencing whether the registered nurse should implement a care directive In essence, the approval of a CD is a determination that a specified intervention can be safely performed on the basis of a registered nurses’ assessment of a client.