Jan Dirk Visagie Holtzhausen1, Charlené Downing2, Marie Poggenpoel3, Gugu Ndawo3. 1. Doctor of Nursing Science candidate, Department of Nursing, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa. 2. Department of Nursing, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa. Electronic address: charlened@uj.ac.za. 3. Department of Nursing, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to propose a definition for the concept "scope of practice" as it applies to a nurse anesthetist in South Africa. DESIGN: Concept analysis. METHODS: Walker and Avant's procedure of concept analysis was followed. The actions included "Select a concept"; "Determine the purpose of analysis"; "Identifying uses of the concept"; "Determining the defining attributes"; "Identifying antecedents and consequences"; "Define empirical referents"; "Identify model case"; and "Identifying additional cases." FINDINGS: The concept 'scope of practice' as it applies to the nurse anesthetist in South Africa can be defined as the individual's competence, accountability, and responsibility as a health professional. The nurse anesthetist is (1) competent: ready to use skills and judgement in practice; (2) accountable: able to be registered as a nurse anesthetist and willing to abide by the regulations; and (3) responsible: upholding professionalism and demanding recognition from the public and peers. CONCLUSIONS: A definition (revealing the concept's structure) and it's uses (revealing the concept's function) for "scope of practice" of a South African nurse anesthetist is proposed for the consideration of introducing nurse anesthesia to provide safe and affordable anesthesia services in South Africa. This article forms part of a larger study titled "A Model for Nurse Anaesthesia Practice in South Africa."
PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to propose a definition for the concept "scope of practice" as it applies to a nurse anesthetist in South Africa. DESIGN: Concept analysis. METHODS: Walker and Avant's procedure of concept analysis was followed. The actions included "Select a concept"; "Determine the purpose of analysis"; "Identifying uses of the concept"; "Determining the defining attributes"; "Identifying antecedents and consequences"; "Define empirical referents"; "Identify model case"; and "Identifying additional cases." FINDINGS: The concept 'scope of practice' as it applies to the nurse anesthetist in South Africa can be defined as the individual's competence, accountability, and responsibility as a health professional. The nurse anesthetist is (1) competent: ready to use skills and judgement in practice; (2) accountable: able to be registered as a nurse anesthetist and willing to abide by the regulations; and (3) responsible: upholding professionalism and demanding recognition from the public and peers. CONCLUSIONS: A definition (revealing the concept's structure) and it's uses (revealing the concept's function) for "scope of practice" of a South African nurse anesthetist is proposed for the consideration of introducing nurse anesthesia to provide safe and affordable anesthesia services in South Africa. This article forms part of a larger study titled "A Model for Nurse Anaesthesia Practice in South Africa."