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Types of activities

Part 1: The basis for scope of practice

Within the Regulation, practice activities are ​​grouped as:

Activities that are not restricted​​

Most activities that RPNs car​​ry out are not restricted. The Regulation covers these activities in the broad definition of psychiatric nursing. They are fundamental to RPN practice, and many of these activities are complex. Examples ​of these activities and BCCNM RPN limits and conditions can be found in Part 4. RPNs are required to follow the RPN scope of practice standard Autonomous Scope of Practice and Client-specific Orders​ and other RPN standards, limits and conditions set by BCCNM.

Restricted activities th​​at do not require an order

Section 6 of the Regulatio​​​n lists restricted activities that do not require an order from a listed health professional. RPNs are required to follow BCCNM's RPN scope of practice standard Acting within Autonomous Scope of Practice and adhere to other RPN standards, limits and conditions​​ set by BCCNM.

Restricted activities that requ​​ire an order

Section 7 of the Regulation lists res​​tricted activities that require an order from a listed health professional. The identified list of health professionals can be found in the definition of listed health professional). RPNs are required to follow BCCNM's RPN scope of practice standard Acting with Client-specific Orders ​and adhere to other RPN standards, limits and conditions set by BCCNM.

Delegated activities (Part 7 of this doc​​ument)

Under the Health Professions Act, “delegation​​" means delegating to a non-registrant the provision or performance of an aspect of practice. Delegation to a regulated health professional occurs when an activity is within the scope of the delegating profession and outside the scope of the other profession. Delegation must be authorized within the bylaws of both regulatory bodies. It does not refer to giving client-specific orders, direction, supervision or assignment. At this time, no activities have been approved for delegation to RPNs.

BCCNM establishes standards, limits and conditions that apply to ps​ychiatric nursing activities, all of which limit what activities are within the scope of practice of psychiatric nursing.​

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