Support for Practicing Nurses in Washington State
Using the Scope of Practice Decision Tree
If you have questions about what activities a nurse can safely perform, please use the Scope of Practice Decision Tree.
The Scope of Practice Decision Tree is a tool designed to assist nurses, nursing students, employers, and policy makers in determining the responsibilities a nurse can safely perform. This tool's intended use is to complement professional judgment rather than deliver definitive answers to complex and evolving situations. The decision tree encourages individual accountability in practice decisions, communicating nursing scope of practice to health care professionals and students, and promotes safe nursing practices.
I am looking for:
- Practice Information (Commonly Asked Questions)
- Practice Guidance (Advisory Opinions)
- Practice Resources
- Contact Information for Practice Consultants
- Glossary of Terms
- Law, Rules, and Statements
- Support for Substance Use Disorder
- COVID-19 Information for Healthcare Providers
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If you have questions about nursing practice, please contact our practice consultants using the contact information below:
Nursing practice email: nursingpractice@doh.wa.gov
Advanced nursing practice email: arnppractice@doh.wa.gov