Week 2: The regulation of Nursing

Question 1

What is the role of AHPRA?

Answer 1

AHPRA governs the regulation of health practioners and is governed by the National Law. AHPRA functions to:

• Support the NMBA
• Administer the National Accreditation Scheme

Question 2

What is the role of the NMBA?

Answer 2

The NMBA are responsible for registering nurses, midwives and students. They also:

• Develop codes of conduct, standards, guidelines and professional boundaries
• Assess oversees trained nurses wishing to practice in Australia
• Outlines and approves accreditation standards and accredited courses of study

Question 3

What is the difference between professional misconduct and unprofessional conduct?

Answer 3

Professional Misconduct: a breach that occurs outside of the domain of practice. e.g. sexual assault

Unprofessional Conduct: where a nurse breaches a particular standard e.g. violating confidentiality

Question 4

What are the 5 additional standards for Gaining registration?

Answer 4

1) Continuing professional development
2) Criminal history
3) English language skills
4) Professional Indemnity
5) Recency of practice

Question 5

What is the main responsibilities of the NMC?

Answer 5

The NMC’s main responsibility is to manage notifications that are made against a nurse and their conduct or performance

Question 6

What is notifiable conduct?

Answer 6

Notifiable conduct is where a nurse has either:

• practiced whilst drunk or or drugs
• Engaged in sexual misconduct with a patient
• placed the public at risk due to an impairment
• they did not follow the standards