1. (1) Purpose of Scope of Practice:

   1. (a) To establish acceptable levels of safe practice for the nurse practitioner.
   2. (b) To serve as a guide for the Board to evaluate nurse practitioner practice.
   3. (c) To distinguish the scope of practice of the nurse practitioner from that of the registered nurse.
2. (2) The role of nurse practitioner will continue to expand in response to societal demand and new knowledge gained through research, education, and experience.
3. (3) The nurse practitioner provides holistic health care to individuals, families, and groups across the life span in a variety of settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities and community-based settings.

4. (4) Within his or her specialty, the nurse practitioner is responsible for managing health problems encountered by the client and is accountable for health outcomes. This process includes:

   1. (a) Assessment;
   2. (b) Diagnosis;
   3. (c) Development of a plan;
   4. (d) Intervention; and
   5. (e) Evaluation.

5. (5) The nurse practitioner is independently responsible and accountable for the continuous and comprehensive management of a broad range of health care, which may include:

   1. (a) Promotion and maintenance of health;
   2. (b) Prevention of illness and disability;
   3. (c) Assessment of clients, synthesis and analysis of data and application of nursing principles and therapeutic modalities;
   4. (d) Management of health care during acute and chronic phases of illness;
   5. (e) Admission of clients to hospitals or health services including but not limited to home health, hospice, long term care and drug and alcohol treatment;
   6. (f) Counseling;
   7. (g) Consultation or collaboration with other health care providers and community resources;
   8. (h) Referral to other health care providers and community resources;
   9. (i) Management and coordination of care;
   10. (j) Use of research skills;
   11. (k) Diagnosis of health or illness status; and
   12. (l) Prescribing, dispensing, and administration of therapeutic devices and measures, including controlled substances and non-controlled prescription medications as provided in the Nurse Practice Act, consistent with the definition of the practitioner’s specialty category and scope of practice.
6. (6) The nurse practitioner scope of practice includes teaching the theory and practice of advanced practice nursing.
7. (7) The nurse practitioner is responsible for recognizing limits of knowledge and experience, and for resolving situations beyond their nurse practitioner expertise by consulting with or referring clients to other health care providers.
8. (8) The nurse practitioner will only provide health care services within the nurse practitioner’s scope of practice for which he/she is educationally prepared and for which competency has been established and maintained. Educational preparation includes academic coursework, workshops, or seminars, provided both theory and clinical experience are included.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 678.255, ORS 678.265, ORS 678.150, ORS 678.275, ORS 678.278, ORS 678.282, ORS 678.285, ORS 678.370, ORS 678.372, ORS 678.375, ORS 678.380 & ORS 678.390

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 678.255, ORS 678.265, ORS 678.150, ORS 678.275, ORS 678.278, ORS 678.282, ORS 678.285, ORS 678.370, ORS 678.372, ORS 678.375, ORS 678.380 & ORS 678.390

History

BN 34-2025, temporary amend filed 11/24/2025, effective 11/24/2025 through 12/31/2025
BN 28-2025, amend filed 11/20/2025, effective 11/20/2025
BN 6-2023, amend filed 09/26/2023, effective 10/01/2023
BN 9-2022, amend filed 07/21/2022, effective 08/01/2022
BN 13-2021, adopt filed 06/24/2021, effective 07/01/2021