Alabama Board of Nursing 
 

Chapter 610-X-6 
 

Standards of Nursing Practice  
 

Table of Contents 
 

610-X-6-.01 Standards of Practice

610-X-6-.02 Conduct and Accountability

610-X-6-.03 Practice of Professional Nursing

610-X-6-.04 Practice of Practical Nursing

610-X-6-.05 Standardized Procedures

610-X-6-.06 Delegation by School Nurses

610-X-6-.07 State of Alabama Independent Living (SAIL) Program

610-X-6-.08 Local Anesthetic Agents

610-X-6-.09 Patient Care Orders

610-X-6-.10 Telecommunication for Pronouncement of Patient Death

610-X-6-.11 Intravenous Therapy by Licensed Practical Nurses

610-X-6-.12 Registered Nurse as Surgical First Assistant (RNFA)

610-X-6-.13   Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)

610-X-6-.14  Reserved

610-X-6-.15   Alabama Department of Mental Health Residential Community  

                      Programs 
 
 

610-X-6-.01 Standards of Practice.  The Board of Nursing may adopt standards of nursing practice and continuing competency. 
 

Author: Alabama Board of Nursing.

Statutory Authority:  Code of Alabama, 1975, § 34-21-2(21).

History:  September 29, 1982.  Repealed and Replaced:  Filed October 29, 2001.  Effective December 3, 2001. 
 

610-X-6-.02 Conduct and Accountability.   The registered nurse and licensed practical nurse shall: 
 

1. Have knowledge and understanding of the laws and rules regulating nursing.

2. Function within the legal scope of nursing practice.

      (3) Be responsible and accountable for the quality of nursing care delivered to patients based on and limited to scope of education, demonstrated competence, and nursing experience.

4.       Be responsible and accountable for the quality of nursing care delivered to patients by nursing personnel under the individual nurse’s supervision.
5.       Obtain instruction and supervision as necessary when implementing new or unfamiliar nursing techniques or practices.

      (6) Accept individual responsibility and accountability for judgments, actions and nursing competency.

7.       Collaborate with other members of the health care team.

8.       Practice without discrimination on the basis of age, race, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, patient diagnosis or disability.

9.       Respect the dignity and rights of patients and their significant others including, but not limited to:

1. Privacy;

2.    Protection of confidential information, unless disclosure is required by law;
3. Freedom from exploitation of physical, mental, sexual, or financial  boundaries; and

4. Protection of real and personal property.

10. Accept individual responsibility and accountability for timely reporting of illegal, substandard, unethical, unsafe, or incompetent nursing practice directly to the Board of Nursing.

Author: Alabama Board of Nursing.

Statutory Authority:  Code of Alabama, 1975, §§ 34-21-2(c)(21), 34-21-25(b).

History: September 29, 1982.  Repealed and Replaced:  Filed October 29, 2001.  Effective December 3, 2001. 
 

610-X-6-.03 Practice of Professional Nursing 
 

1. The practice of professional nursing includes, but is not limited to:

1. Care and counseling of patients;

2. Provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being;

3. Exercise of appropriate nursing judgment;
4. Promotion of health and prevention of illness and injury;

            (e)       Executing medical regimens including administering medications and treatments prescribed by a licensed or otherwise legally authorized prescriber.

2. Competence in the practice of nursing by a registered nurse shall include, but is not limited to:

1. Knowledge and compliance with:

1. Applicable statutes and regulations;
2. Standards of nursing practice; and
3. Standardized procedures for nursing practice.