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. The 2001 legislative assembly defined the education requirements for the specialty practice registered nurse. The scope of practice for a registered nurse with specialty 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 specialty practice roles provide care to the fullest extent of their scope of practice. The specialty practice registered nurse retains the responsibility and accountability for that scope of practice and is ultimately accountable to the client within the Nurse Practices Act.