(a)

1. (1) Licensed nurses, within the parameters of their education and experience, are responsible for all nursing care that a client receives under their direction.
2. (2) Assessment of the nursing needs of a client, the plan of nursing actions, implementation of the plan, and evaluation of the plan under the direction of a registered professional nurse are essential components of nursing practice.
3. (3) Unlicensed personnel may be used to complement the licensed nurse in the performance of nursing functions, but such personnel cannot be used as a substitute for the licensed nurse.

(b)

1. (1) Delegation by a licensed nurse shall fall within the definitions of Arkansas Code § 17-87-102.

2. (2) Delegation must:

   1. (A) Occur within the framework of the job description of the delegatee and organizational policies and procedures; and
   2. (B) Be in compliance with the Arkansas Nurse Practice Act.
3. (3) The following sections govern the licensed nurse in delegating and supervising nursing tasks to unlicensed personnel in all settings.