1. (1) The practice of practical nursing includes the performance, for compensation, of acts designed to promote and maintain health, prevent illness and injury, and provide care utilizing standardized procedures and the nursing process, including administering medications and treatments, under the direction of a licensed professional nurse or a licensed or otherwise legally authorized physician or dentist. Such practice requires basic knowledge of the biological, physical, and behavioral sciences and of nursing skills but does not require the substantial specialized skill, independent judgment, and knowledge required in the practice of professional nursing. Additional acts requiring appropriate education and training may be performed under emergency or other conditions which are recognized by the nursing and medical professions as proper to be performed by a licensed practical nurse.

2. (2) The scope of an individual licensed practical nurse's level of practice includes, but is not limited to:

   1. (a) License status.
   2. (b) Educational preparation, initial and continued.
   3. (c) State and federal statutes and regulations.
   4. (d) State and national standards appropriate to the scope and the type of practice.
   5. (e) Nursing experience. Assumption of responsibility for recognizing personal limits of knowledge and experience.
   6. (f) Demonstrated competence.
   7. (g) Facility policy and procedures, Board approved standardized procedures, and approved medical protocols.

Author: Alabama Board of Nursing

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-21-1(3)(b), 34-21-2(a)(21), 34-21-2(c)(6).

Editor’s Note: Rule .04 was renumbered .05 as per certification filed November 23, 2009; effective December 28, 2009.

History: Filed September 29, 1982. Amended: Filed September 21, 1984; effective October 29, 1984. Repealed and New Rule: Filed October 29, 2001; effective December 3, 2001. Repealed and New Rule: Filed November 23, 2009; effective December 28, 2009. Repealed and New Rule: Filed July 25, 2016; effective September 8, 2016. Amended: Filed July 20, 2018; effective September 3, 2018. Repealed and New Rule: Published September 30, 2022; effective November 14, 2022.