The scope of practice for registered professional nurses in New York State is defined in Article 139 of Education Law, or the Nurse Practice Act. Regulations and interpretations of that law determine how and where RNs are able to provide care.
There have been continuing efforts by employers to assign nursing tasks to unlicensed personnel who do not have a Scope of Practice. In addition, other licensed professions have tried to get legal support to perform tasks that have been reserved for registered nurses. Even RNs are unsure about which tasks can be assigned to LPNs or unlicensed personnel.
NYSNA regularly consults with state agencies and other groups to define the safe and legal scope of nursing practice.