ANA Standards of Nursing Practice

Standards of Practice:
Describes a competent level of nursing care as demonstrated by the nursing process that encompasses all significant actions taken by the nurse in providing care and forms the foundation of clinical decision making.
1. Assessment: The registered nurse (RN) collects comprehensive data pertinent to the patient’s health or situation.
2. Diagnosis: The RN analyzes the assessment data to determine the diagnoses or issues.
3. Outcome Identification: The RN identifies expected outcomes for a plan individualized to the patient or the situation.
4. Planning: The RN develops a plan that prescribes strategies and alternatives to attain expected outcomes.
5. Implementation: The RN implements the identified plan.

a. Coordination of Care: The RN coordinates care delivery.
b. Health Teaching and Health Promotion: The RN employs strategies to promote health and a safe environment.
c. Consultation: The advanced practice RN and the nursing role specialist provide consultation to influence the identified plan, enhance the abilities of others, and effect change.
d. Prescriptive Authority and Treatment: The advanced practice RN uses prescriptive authority, procedures, referrals, treatments, and therapies in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations.
6. Evaluation: The RN evaluates progress toward attainment of outcomes.

Standards of Professional Performance:
Describes roles expected of all professional nurses appropriate to their education, position, and practice setting.
7. Quality of Practice: The RN systematically enhances the quality and effectiveness of nursing practice.
8. Education: The RN attains knowledge and competency that reflects current nursing practice.
9. Professional Practice Evaluation: The RN evaluates one’s own nursing practice in relation to professional practice
standards and guidelines, relevant statutes, rules, and regulations.
10. Collegiality: The RN interacts with and contributes to the professional development of peers and colleagues.
11. Collaboration: The RN collaborates with patient, family, and others in the conduct of nursing practice.
12. Ethics: The RN integrates ethical provisions in all areas of practice.
13. Research: The RN integrates research findings into practice.
14. Resource Utilization: The RN considers factors related to safety, effectiveness, cost, and impact on practice in the planning and delivery of nursing services.
15. Leadership: The RN provides leadership in the professional practice setting and the profession.