Practice Level Descriptions

Registered Nurse

Competent Registered Nurse:

• Demonstrates competence in clinical skills, managing routine care and beginning to recognise recurring themes relevant to the area of practice.
• Develops partnerships with patients that implement Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensures cultural safety in the practice setting.
• Seeks guidance and support as required when providing care for clients with more complex needs.
• Responds appropriately in emergency situations.
• Demonstrates sound ability in relevant technical skills.
• Has developed effective time management skills and prioritises work appropriately.
• Is proactive in seeking professional development opportunities for themselves and others.

Proficient Registered Nurse:

• Establishes partnerships with clients that implement Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensures cultural safety in the practice setting.
• Has in-depth knowledge of nursing practice and perceives situations as part of the bigger picture.
• Recognises and responds to subtle changes that require unplanned or unanticipated interventions.
• Takes a lead role within the health care team, which supports a multi-disciplinary approach to care.
• Challenges appropriateness of care using evidence-based approach.
• Uses experience and leadership to manage complex and/or unpredictable workloads and situations.
• Participates in changes in the practice setting that recognise and integrate the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
• Accepts a clinical, educational, or resource role within the practice setting.

Expert Registered Nurse:

• Demonstrates intuitive knowledge and expert practice, which is evidence-based and quality-focused. This has been attained by the development of skills, and a broad knowledge base, which is grounded in experience and enhanced by ongoing education and professional development
• Guides others to implement culturally safe practice to clients and apply the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to the practice setting
• Provides leadership to others in complex and unpredictable situations
• Demonstrates broad problem solving and analytical skills
• Contributes to nursing knowledge, practice and service development
• Actively participates in the decision-making processes, planning and managing resources to achieve optimal outcomes for the patient
• Takes a lead role in identifying opportunities for change, and initiating processes for implementation
• Actively participates in the implementation of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi within the practice setting.
• Engages in postgraduate education (or equivalent i.e. for an expert RN post-registration and post-graduate education may be deemed equivalent)

Enrolled Nurses

Competent Enrolled Nurse:

• In partnership with RN/RM and client, contributes to assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of nursing care to people with relatively stable and predictable health outcomes.
• Develops partnerships with a client that implements Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensures cultural safety in the practice setting.
• Responds appropriately in emergency situations.
• Demonstrates sound ability in relevant technical skills.
• Has developed effective time management skills and prioritises work appropriately.

Proficient Enrolled Nurse:

• Establishes partnerships with a client that implements Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensures cultural safety in the practice setting.
• Participates in changes in the practice setting that recognise and integrate the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and cultural safety.
• Has in-depth knowledge of enrolled nurse practice and perceives situations as part of the bigger picture.
• Recognises subtle changes in patient’s condition/situation/circumstances and responds appropriately.
• Contributes to the health care team and supports a multi-disciplinary approach to care.
• Uses an evidence-based approach to care and challenges practice as appropriate.
• Uses experience and skills to contribute to the management of the changing workload and situations.
• Is able to accept a resource role in the practice setting where appropriate

Accomplished Enrolled Nurse:

• Develops partnerships with clients that implement Te Tiriti o Waitangi in a manner that the clients determine is culturally safe
• Demonstrates advancing knowledge and skills in a specific clinical area within the EN/NA scope
• Contributes to the management of changing workloads
• Gains support and respect of the health care team through sharing of knowledge and making a demonstrated positive contribution
• Undertakes an additional responsibility within a clinical/quality team, e.g. being a resource, health and safety representative etc
• Actively promotes understanding of legal and ethical issues
• Contributes to quality improvements and change in practice initiative
• Acts as a role model and contributes to leadership activities.