Maximizing nurse utilization to work within license scope of practice: Establishing policies and procedures.

Abstract

Nurses in the unit I am managing were performing electrocautery. The Md had trained the nurse coordinator in the procedure but could not establish it was within the nursing scope of practice. Research showed that RN's can do cautery as first assist to control bleeding during surgery. We are currently working on establishing a policy and incorporating the training into the nursing unit orientation.