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Winter 2003

EN Scope of Practice working Group gets underway

The EN Scope of Practice working Group, established to provide education, support and a greater understanding of the role of ENs, is now underway.

A top priority is to address issues in relation to the role ENs in acute care settings, and to facilitate the implementation and evaluation of strategies endorsed by the Agency reference group.

HACSU is represented on the EN Scope of Practice working Group.

The first meeting occurred in April to outline guidelines and establish communication and decision making processes.

In May, a number of members of the working party attended a Nursing Board of Tasmania education forum, which included session in role clarification of both Ens and RNs. There was also session on medication issues during the forum.

Also in May there was a teleconference discussion on the utilisation of ENs within various health care settings, with a particular focus on North West Regional Health, where there are 25 Ens employed.

NWRH outlined a number of strategies, including;

• EN work across a range of medical and surgical areas and guidelines they rely upon,
• Feedback sessions aimed at raising awareness of EN and RN roles,
• Participation in preceptor training,
• Clinical education,
• EN orientation.

Information about strategies being pursued by RHH, Scottsdale, NESM and LGH regarding Ens, is also being circulated.

Part of the role of the HACSU EN Subcommittee will be to check on the "ground level" application and effectiveness of these programs.