Page 14 - MMP-N-NJ CCN 21st Century School Nurse Leadership Book

Principle: Standards of Practice

Definition: Standards of Practice for school nursing direct and lead every part of the
framework and incorporate a wide range of practice and performance standards that are
essential in the specialty of school nursing, regardless of the role, population served, or
specialty within school nursing (ANA & NASN, 2017). Specialized knowledge, skills, decision
making, and standards for practice are required to provide the best possible nursing care
with the best possible outcomes. The Standards of Practice and the related practice
components are vital and overarching for the other principles of the framework. Specialized
knowledge, skills, decision making, and standards for practice are required to provide the
best possible nursing care with the best possible outcomes. Standards of practice is defined
as a competent level of nursing practice and professional performance common to and
expected of all school nurses. Included in this principle are integral practice components
that underlie school nurses’ daily activities and include the scope and standards of nursing
practice, code of ethics, nurse practice acts, position statements, evidence-based practice,
clinical guidelines, clinical competence and critical thinking.

PRACTICE COMPONENTS DEFINITION*
Clinical Competence means that the school
nurse successfully performs at an expected
professional level that integrates knowledge,
skills, abilities, and judgment. The school
CLINICAL nurse maintains a high level of competency
COMPETENCE and professional knowledge and skills through
continuing education and collaboration with
peers and community health professionals,
all while adhering to the standards of school
nursing practice (ANA & NASN, 2017).

Clinical guidelines are determined by the
systematic review of the evidence and
direct the practice of school nursing. Clinical
CLINICAL guidelines assist school nurses to provide
GUIDELINES best practice and facilitate positive health
outcomes that influence academic outcomes
(Maughan & Schantz, 2014). Following clinical
guidelines advances the professional practice
of school nursing.

Code of Ethics is a part of every nurse’s
professional life (American Nurses Association,
2015). School nurses provide care, advocate for
families, outreach to those at risk, and collect
CODE OF ETHICS data with compassion, honesty, and integrity
that protect the dignity, autonomy, rights, and
client confidentiality within the legal limit of
the health and educational systems (ANA,
2015; ANA & NASN, 2017).

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