Section 848IAC4-3-1. Competent practice of clinical nurse specialists

   A clinical nurse specialist shall perform as an independent and interdependent member of the health care team as defined in 848 IAC 2-1-3. The following are standards for each clinical nurse specialist:

(1) Assess clients by using advanced knowledge and skills to:

(A) identify abnormal conditions;

(B) diagnose health problems;

(C) develop and implement nursing treatment plans; and

(D) evaluate patient outcomes.

(2) Use advanced knowledge and skills in teaching and guiding clients and other health team members.

(3) Use appropriate critical thinking skills to make independent decisions, commensurate with the autonomy, authority, and responsibility of the clinical nurse specialist.

(4) Function within the legal boundaries of their advanced practice area and shall have and utilize knowledge of the statutes and rules governing their advanced practice areas, including the following:

(A) State and federal drug laws and regulations.

(B) State and federal confidentiality laws and regulations.

(C) State and federal medical records access laws.

(5) Consult and collaborate with other members of the health team as appropriate to provide reasonable client care.

(6) Recognize the limits of individual knowledge and experience, and consult with or refer clients to other health care providers as appropriate.

(7) Retain professional accountability for any delegated intervention, and delegate interventions only as authorized by IC 25-23-1 and this title.

(8) Maintain current knowledge and skills in their clinical nurse specialist area.

(9) Provide direct nursing care utilizing advanced scientific knowledge, nursing theory, and nursing skills in the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of health and nursing care of individual clients.

(10) Provide indirect nursing care through planning, guiding, evaluating, and directing nursing care delivered by nursing and ancillary personnel as authorized by IC 25-23-1 and this title.

(11) Conduct nursing research, including methods of nursing intervention and healthcare in the area of specialization, and apply research findings appropriate to the area of practice.

(12) Teach and counsel individuals or groups by utilizing communication skills and teaching or learning theories to increase knowledge or functioning of individuals or groups, nursing personnel, students, and other members of the health care team.

(13) Serve as a consultant and as a resource, utilizing advanced health knowledge and skills, to those who are directly and indirectly involved in patient care.

(14) Participate in periodic evaluation of services rendered, including, but not limited to, the following:

(A) Chart reviews.

(B) Case reviews.

(C) Patient evaluations.

(D) Outcome of case statistics.

(Indiana State Board of Nursing; 848 IAC 4-3-1; filed Jul 29, 1994, 5:00 p.m.: 17 IR 2876; readopted filed Nov 6, 2001, 4:18 p.m.: 25 IR 940; readopted filed Jul 19, 2007, 12:54 p.m.: 20070808-IR-848070058RFA; readopted filed Nov 25, 2013, 9:22 a.m.: 20131225-IR-848130284RFA)