Guidance regarding the interpretation and application of the Nurse Practices Act may be adopted by the Board as a means of providing direction to licensees and stakeholders who seek to ensure safe nursing practice and address issues of concern relevant to public protection [Nurse Practices Act (NPA), North Dakota Century Code (NDCC) 43-12.1-08 (2)(p)].
Board approved practice guidance does not carry the force and effect of the law/rules. Each licensed nurse is “responsible and accountable to practice according to the standards of practice prescribed by the board and the profession”; and must “accept responsibility for judgements, individual nursing actions, competence, decisions, and behavior in the course of nursing practice” (Standards of Practice, North Dakota Administrative Code (NDAC) 54-05-01-07 and 54-05-02-04). "Competence" means the application and integration of knowledge, skills, ability, and judgment necessary to meet standards (NDAC 54-01-03-01(16).
This practice guidance is NOT intended to apply to:
The licensed practical nurse.
Role of the RN
The RN may collect evidence from the sexual assault victim in compliance with the North Dakota Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Protocol and in accordance with facility policy.
It is within the scope of practice of an RN to perform a vaginal speculum/colposcopic exam for the purpose of collecting specimens from the sexual assault victims following these requirements:
Adopted: 9/99;
Reviewed/Revised: 10/19
