level of proficiency according to Benner
tasks.
1. Novice – stage in skill acquisition
where no background
understanding of the situation
exists, so that context-free rules and
attributes are required for safe entry
and performance, for example.
Requires rigid protocols from which
to work and can only work under
supervision.
2. Advanced beginner – can
demonstrate a marginally
acceptable performance. The
advanced beginner has enough
background experience to recognise
aspects of the situation, for
example, and can vary the approach
used according to the needs of
individual patients, although still
requires supervision.
3. Competent – a stage in skill
acquisition typified by considerable,
conscious, deliberate planning. The
competent stage is evidenced by an
increased level of proficiency, for
example, the individual no longer
requires supervision for routine
tasks, but is aware of the limits of
his/her knowledge and skills, and
refers to others appropriately.
4. Proficient – the proficient performer
perceives situations as a whole
rather than in terms of aspects, and
performance is guided by maxims.
The proficient performer has an
intuitive grasp of the situation based
upon a deep background of
understanding, for example, the
individual is experienced in the field
of work, competent to modify
procedures appropriately to match
differing circumstances, and able to
advise others on how to perform
5. Expert – developed only when
theoretical and practical knowledge
is tested and refined in real-life
clinical situations. An expert has a
deep background of understanding
of clinical situations based upon
many past cases, for example, very
experienced, work has been tested
in difficult situations, and is able to
teach others, with an understanding
of the principles and exceptions in
the work.
Code of Ethics for Nurses
1. The nurse, in all professional
relationships, practices with compassion
and respect for the inherent dignity, worth,
and uniqueness of every individual,
unrestricted by considerations of social or
economic status, personal attributes, or the
nature of health problems.
2. The nurse's primary commitment is to
the patient, whether an individual, family,
group, or community.
3. The nurse promotes, advocates for, and
strives to protect the health, safety, and
rights of the patient.
4. The nurse is responsible and accountable
for individual nursing practice and
determines the appropriate delegation of
tasks consistent with the nurse's obligation
to provide optimum patient care.
5. The nurse owes the same duties to self as
to others, including the responsibility to
preserve integrity and safety, to maintain
competence, and to continue personal and
professional growth.
6. The nurse participates in establishing,
maintaining, and improving health care
environments and conditions of
employment conducive to the provision of
quality health care and consistent with the
 values of the profession through individual
and collective action.
7. The nurse participates in the
advancement of the profession through
contributions to practice, education,
administration, and knowledge
development.
8. The nurse collaborates with other health
professionals and the public in promoting
community, national, and international
efforts to meet health needs.
9. The profession of nursing, as represented
by associations and their members, is
responsible for articulating nursing values,
for maintaining the integrity of the
profession and its practice, and for shaping
social policy.
4. Liaise between other care givers: The patient will
have relatives and other visitors ho may be visiting
the person. The clinical nurse has to liaise with these
people and inform them of the patient status as and
when needed. The clinical nurse is the person who
will also inform the relatives of the needs of the
patient so that they are met by them. This is an
important role that no one else will be able to play.
5. Daily care to the patient: The clinical nurse is the
one who will also be attending to the daily care to
the affected person. There are many instances when
the patient will have a lot of needs and be
dependent on the people around him, so the clinical
nurse is the one who will either facilitation of these
needs or ensure that she helps the patient to get all
the help that is required.

ROE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SCOPE OF NURSING PRACTCE BASED ON RA 9173

PROFESSIONAL NUrSE

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A MORE RESPONSIVE

1. Medication to patient: The clinical nurse is
NURSING PROFESSION, REPEALING FOR THE
entrusted with the responsibility of presenting all
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7164, OTHERWISE
the medication to the patients who need them.
KNOWN AS "THE PHILIPPINE NURSING ACT OF 1991"
There may be various kinds of medications that each
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
patient needs. The nurse has to be careful in giving
the right kind of medication to the patient. Any
ARTICLE VI
wrong medication will lead to various problems to
the person.
Nursing Practice
2. Support: The nurse is also the person who will be
able to support the person all through the illness or
Section 28. Scope of Nursing. - A person shall be
the time of admission in the hospital. Every health
deemed to be practicing nursing within the meaning
professional will only be spending a short time with
of this Act when he/she singly or in collaboration
the affected person. The nurse is at the bed side at
with another, initiates and performs nursing services
all times and so plays a very important role in the
to individuals, families and communities in any
psychological support to the patient.
health care setting. It includes, but not limited to,
3. Identification of complications: Though physicians
nursing care during conception, labor, delivery,
will be monitoring the patient at most of the times,
infancy, childhood, toddler, preschool, school age,
there are times when the physician may be busy
adolescence, adulthood, and old age. As
with other kinds of patient care activities and the
independent practitioners, nurses are primarily
emergency or complication in a patient may be
responsible for the promotion of health and
missed. As soon as the nurse identifies the presence
prevention of illness. A members of the health team,
of some kind of complication, the status of the
nurses shall collaborate with other health care
person has to be informed to the physician and the
providers for the curative, preventive, and
physician will take care of the problem.
rehabilitative aspects of care, restoration of health,
alleviation of suffering, and when recovery is not recognized professional nursing organization:
possible, towards a peaceful death. It shall be the Provided, finally, That the program and activity for
duty of the nurse to: the continuing professional education shall be
submitted to and approved by the Board.
(a) Provide nursing care through the utilization of the
nursing process. Nursing care includes, but not
limited to, traditional and innovative approaches,
therapeutic use of self, executing health care
techniques and procedures, essential primary health
care, comfort measures, health teachings, and
administration of written prescription for treatment,
therapies, oral topical and parenteral medications,
internal examination during labor in the absence of
antenatal bleeding and delivery. In case of suturing
of perineal laceration, special training shall be
provided according to protocol established;

(b) establish linkages with community resources and

coordination with the health team;

(c) Provide health education to individuals, families

and communities;

(d) Teach, guide and supervise students in nursing

education programs including the administration of
nursing services in varied settings such as hospitals
and clinics; undertake consultation services; engage
in such activities that require the utilization of
knowledge and decision-making skills of a registered
nurse; and

(e) Undertake nursing and health human resource

development training and research, which shall
include, but not limited to, the development of
advance nursing practice;

Provided, That this section shall not apply to nursing

students who perform nursing functions under the
direct supervision of a qualified faculty: Provided,
further, That in the practice of nursing in all settings,
the nurse is duty-bound to observe the Code of
Ethics for nurses and uphold the standards of safe
nursing practice. The nurse is required to maintain
competence by continual learning through
continuing professional education to be provided by
the accredited professional organization or any