Scope of Practice (APRN)

Changes to regulations regarding the role of APRNs in end of life decision making were legislated in the 2006 session of the NH Legislature and will go into effect January 1, 2007.

326-B:11 Scope of Practice and Authority; Advanced Practice Registered Nurse:

I. Advanced practice registered nursing by nurse practitioners shall consist of a combination of knowledge and skills acquired in basic nursing education. The APRN scope of practice, with or without compensation or personal profit, shall be limited to:

(a) Performing acts of advanced assessment, diagnosing, prescribing, selecting, administering, and providing therapeutic measures and treatment regimes;
(b) Obtaining consultation, planning, and implementing collaborative management, referral, or transferring the care of the client as appropriate; and
(c) Providing such functions common to a nurse practitioner for which the APRN is educationally and experientially prepared and which are consistent with standards established by a national credentialing or certification body recognized by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and approved by the board in the appropriate APRN role and specialty.

II. An APRN shall practice within standards consistent with standards established by a national credentialing or certification body recognized by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and approved by the board in the appropriate APRN role. The board shall not approve a new advanced practice specialty category that has not been developed by a national credentialing or certifying body recognized by the National Council of State Board of Nursing without approval of the legislature under RSA 332-G:6. Each APRN shall be accountable to clients and the board:

(a) For complying with this chapter and the quality of advanced nursing care rendered;
(b) For recognizing limits of knowledge and experience and planning for the management of situations beyond the APRNs expertise; and
(c) For consulting with or referring clients to other health care providers as appropriate.

III. An APRN shall have plenary authority to possess, compound, prescribe, administer, and dispense and distribute to clients controlled and non-controlled drugs in accordance with the formulary established by the joint health council and within the scope of the APRNs practice as defined by this chapter. Such authority may be denied, suspended, or revoked by the board after notice and the opportunity for hearing, upon proof that the authority has been abused.