Nursing Accountability for the Standard of Care

Licensed nurses are expected to be aware and maintain knowledge of the prevailing nursing standard of care. Nurses have an independent duty (apart from their hospital employer duties) to keep themselves up-to-date with the accepted and current standard of care required for nurses, but hospitals and healthcare facilities are also required by JCAHO and AHCA to maintain Policy and Procedure manuals with specific rules, regulations and guidelines for compliance with the standard of care, and for nursing staff to utilize as a resource.