Credentialing and Defining Scope of Clinical Practice for Nursing Roles Policy
Version 1.0 approved 29 June 2022
Registered nurses who work beyond what is deemed as the core scope of practice of a registered nurse to a specific scope of clinical practice must be credentialed and authorised by their employing Local Health Network (LHN) to work to that specific scope of clinical practice.
The Credentialing and Defining Scope of Clinical Practice for Nursing Roles Policy (PDF 299KB) provides the framework to support delivery of quality health care and safe nursing practice by nurse practitioners and registered nurses working in advanced and extended practice roles with a specific scope of clinical practice within SA Health. Credentialing forms part of the broader clinical governance framework supporting the provision of safe, quality and consumer centred care.
This Policy enables nurses working in advanced and extended practice roles in the public sector to work to their full scope of practice. This aligns with the SA Health Nursing and Midwifery Strategic Directions 2023-2026 (PDF 208KB), which states that nurses will ‘continue to work collaboratively to extend their full scope of practice’; and ‘provide compassionate, reliable person centred care that is timely, appropriate and supports wellbeing’.
Applicability
This policy applies to:
- Department for Health and Wellbeing
- Local Health Networks
- State- Wide Services
- SA Ambulance Service
- Nurse practitioners and registered nurses with a specific scope of clinical practice
The process of credentialing and defining the scope of clinical practice for nursing roles is overseen by the Local Health Network Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery and is supported by robust human resource management processes.