Statement of intent

The 1977 legislative assembly enacted legislation that recognized the performance of additional acts to be performed by registered nurses practicing in expanded roles and gave the board of nursing the power to set standards for nurses practicing in specialized roles. From 1980 to 1991, the board licensed advanced practitioners in nursing as nurse clinicians, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, and certified registered nurse anesthetists. The 1991 legislative assembly added prescriptive practices to the acts an advanced practice registered nurse may perform, if qualified. The 1995 legislative assembly further defined the educational requirements for the advanced practice registered nurse. The scope of practice for a registered nurse with advanced licensure is based upon an understanding that a broad range of health care services can be appropriately and competently provided by a registered nurse with validated knowledge, skills, and abilities in specific practice areas. The health care needs of citizens in North Dakota require that nurses in advanced practice roles provide care to the fullest extent of their scope of practice. The advanced practice registered nurse retains the responsibility and accountability for that scope of practice and is ultimately accountable to the patient within the Nurse Practices Act. The advanced practice registered nurse is responsible and accountable to practice according to the standards of practice prescribed by the board and the profession. The purpose of the standards is: 1. To establish practice parameters for safe nursing practice. 2. To serve as a guide for the board to regulate the practice of the advanced practice registered nurse.