Scope of practice
The Lesotho Nursing Council (LNC) Scope of Practice and Framework of Competencies
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
- The Lesotho Nursing Council (LNC) Scope of Practice and Framework of Competencies documents for the Registered General Nurse, Registered Midwife and Nursing Assistant documents were developed with the guidance of Ms.Fadwa Affara, Regulatory Consultant, who was supported by Jhpiego under the Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program (MCHIP). The LNC would also like to acknowledge the Registered nurses, Registered Midwives and Nursing Assistants who took part in the development of these documents. Most importantly; acknowledge the Task Team members who worked tirelessly in developing the Scope of Practice and Framework of Competencies documents for the Registered General Nurse, Midwife and Nursing Assistant. Members of the Task Team include:
THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE OF THE REGISTERED NURSE
The scope of practice and competency framework for the Registered Nurse in Lesotho have been developed by the Lesotho Nursing Council (LNC) in collaboration with practising nurses from various work settings, nurse managers, and educators. This is the first time nursing in Lesotho has defined a national scope of practice for nurses working in the generalist role, and established the competencies a newly graduate generalist nurse would be expected to exhibit when working in the Lesotho healthcare system. A registered generalist nurse is defined as a:
… Licensed self-regulated health care professional who works autonomously and in collaboration with others in the generalist scope practice with capacity and authority to practice in primary, secondary, and tertiary health care in all settings and branches of nursing, and has the capability and legal responsibility to supervise and direct nursing assistants and auxiliaries. (Adapted from ICN, 2005)
THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE OF THE REGISTERED MIDWIFE
The scope of practice and competency framework for the Registered Midwife in Lesotho have been developed by the Lesotho Nursing Council (LNC) in collaboration with practising midwives from various work settings, midwifery managers, and educators. This is the first time midwifery in Lesotho has defined a national scope of practice for midwives working in the generalist role, and established the competencies a newly graduate midwife would be expected to exhibit when working in the Lesotho healthcare system.
THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE OF THE NURSE ASSISTANT
- The scope of practice and competency framework for the Nursing Assistant in Lesotho have been developed by the Lesotho Nursing Council (LNC) in collaboration with practising nursing assistants, nurses from various work settings, nurse managers, and educators. This is the first time nursing in Lesotho has defined a national scope of practice for nursing assistants, and established the competencies a newly trained nursing assistant would be expected to exhibit when working in the Lesotho healthcare system.
THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE OF A SPECIALIST NURSE
- The scope of practice clearly articulates legal demarcations of nursing practice in different nursing specialties. The LNC’s scope of practice defines roles and responsibilities of nurses in the following areas of Nursing and Midwifery specialties: Advanced Midwife, Anaesthetic Nurse, Critical Care Nurse, Clinical Instructor, Community Health Nurse, Forensic Nurse, HIV AND AIDS Nurse, Nurse Clinician, Nurse Educator Nurse Manager, Ophthalmic Nurse, Operating Theatre nurse , Oncology Nurse, Occupational Nurse, Orthopaedic Nurse, Public Health Nurse, Psychiatric Nurse, Pediatric Nurse & Trauma and Emergency Nurse