Practice Level Descriptions | Te Whatu Ora - Te Tai Tokerau

Practice Level Descriptions

Registered Nurse

Competent Registered Nurse:

  • Demonstrates competence in clinical skills, managing routine care and beginning to recognise recurring themes relevant to the area of practice.
  • Develops partnerships with patients that implement Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensures cultural safety in the practice setting.
  • Seeks guidance and support as required when providing care for clients with more complex needs.
  • Responds appropriately in emergency situations.
  • Demonstrates sound ability in relevant technical skills.
  • Has developed effective time management skills and prioritises work appropriately.
  • Is proactive in seeking professional development opportunities for themselves and others.

Proficient Registered Nurse:

  • Establishes partnerships with clients that implement Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensures cultural safety in the practice setting.
  • Has in-depth knowledge of nursing practice and perceives situations as part of the bigger picture.
  • Recognises and responds to subtle changes that require unplanned or unanticipated interventions.
  • Takes a lead role within the health care team, which supports a multi-disciplinary approach to care.
  • Challenges appropriateness of care using evidence-based approach.
  • Uses experience and leadership to manage complex and/or unpredictable workloads and situations.
  • Participates in changes in the practice setting that recognise and integrate the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
  • Accepts a clinical, educational, or resource role within the practice setting.

Expert Registered Nurse:

  • Demonstrates intuitive knowledge and expert practice, which is evidence-based and quality-focused. This has been attained by the development of skills, and a broad knowledge base, which is grounded in experience and enhanced by ongoing education and professional development
  • Guides others to implement culturally safe practice to clients and apply the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to the practice setting
  • Provides leadership to others in complex and unpredictable situations
  • Demonstrates broad problem solving and analytical skills
  • Contributes to nursing knowledge, practice and service development
  • Actively participates in the decision-making processes, planning and managing resources to achieve optimal outcomes for the patient
  • Takes a lead role in identifying opportunities for change, and initiating processes for implementation
  • Actively participates in the implementation of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi within the practice setting.
  • Engages in postgraduate education (or equivalent i.e. for an expert RN post-registration and post-graduate education may be deemed equivalent)
Enrolled Nurses

Competent Enrolled Nurse:

  • In partnership with RN/RM and client, contributes to assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of nursing care to people with relatively stable and predictable health outcomes.
  • Develops partnerships with a client that implements Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensures cultural safety in the practice setting.
  • Responds appropriately in emergency situations.
  • Demonstrates sound ability in relevant technical skills.
  • Has developed effective time management skills and prioritises work appropriately.

Proficient Enrolled Nurse:

  • Establishes partnerships with a client that implements Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensures cultural safety in the practice setting.
  • Participates in changes in the practice setting that recognise and integrate the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and cultural safety.
  • Has in-depth knowledge of enrolled nurse practice and perceives situations as part of the bigger picture.
  • Recognises subtle changes in patient’s condition/situation/circumstances and responds appropriately.
  • Contributes to the health care team and supports a multi-disciplinary approach to care.
  • Uses an evidence-based approach to care and challenges practice as appropriate.
  • Uses experience and skills to contribute to the management of the changing workload and situations.
  • Is able to accept a resource role in the practice setting where appropriate

Accomplished Enrolled Nurse:

  • Develops partnerships with clients that implement Te Tiriti o Waitangi in a manner that the clients determine is culturally safe
  • Demonstrates advancing knowledge and skills in a specific clinical area within the EN/NA scope
  • Contributes to the management of changing workloads
  • Gains support and respect of the health care team through sharing of knowledge and making a demonstrated positive contribution
  • Undertakes an additional responsibility within a clinical/quality team, e.g. being a resource, health and safety representative etc
  • Actively promotes understanding of legal and ethical issues
  • Contributes to quality improvements and change in practice initiative
  • Acts as a role model and contributes to leadership activities.

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