Scope of nurses’ practice

Abstract

Is setting up an intravenous (IV) infusion regarded as part of the clinical practice responsibility of a professional nurse? Some professional nurses seem to think that this is outside their scope of practice. However, it is stated in Section 30 of the Nursing Act 33 of 2015 that a nurse registered in terms of the Act as “a practitioner who is qualified and competent to independently practise comprehensive nursing and midwifery in the manner and to the level prescribed …is capable of assuming responsibility and accountability for such practice”.