You are providing complex care to high acuity patients and legal, ethical, workplace, and professional practice issues will pop up in your practice. You may have to do some research to find the answers you need or if you plan to represent yourself then do the research and educate yourself before proceeding. Contacting an attorney for advice or representation may not be feasible for you. You may not want to speak with anyone about your issue or case for whatever reason. DIY.
If you are going to represent, counsel, or advise yourself considering the following (this isn't legal advice just general information):
1. Use a pen and paper to spot the critical issues in your situation or case. Do general and specific searches on google or other search engines to identify the issues and trends;
2. Research your State Nurse Practice Act and State Nursing Board regulations. There is a wealth of information on your State Nursing Board's website (usually);
3. Any there any federal or state laws, cases, and regulations applicable to your situation or case?;
4. Take a look at the nursing research and review the literature;
5. Are national, specialty, or state nursing association practice guidelines or standards applicable? Research and review those guidelines.
6. What does your employer's policies and procedures say? What about JCAHO?
7. Any guidance from the State Nursing Board or the National Council of State Boards of Nursing? Review the State Nursing Board website including Board meeting minutes, cases, advisory opinions, brochures, decision trees, statements, etc.
8. Take a look at the online nursing forums and chatrooms like www.allnurses.com. Has this issue(s) presented with other nurses?
9. Review judicial case law in your state if applicable; and
10. Contact your national, state, or specialty nurses association(s) for guidance and assistance.
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