Retired ANA Position Statement - 4/13/92
The educational preparation and clinical experiences in practice for
nurses, set the frame for their individual perceptions of their scope of
practice. Since there is a variation in basic nursing education, nurses
in the workplace have conflicting perceptions of what constitutes a
nurse's legal accountability and how and what can be delegated when
working with unlicensed assistive personnel (UAPS). Clearly, the legal
regulation of nursing practice is defined by each state nursing practice
act, but practice acts differ reflecting the uniqueness of their
history, practice and beliefs. The ANA recognizes that an understanding
of the core of "what is nursing" and "what constitutes the practice of
nursing" is an essential component for each nurse and each nursing
service in determining the appropriate utilization of unlicensed
assistive personnel.
Background Info (Members Only)