Enrolled Nurse Scope Statement Review 

We are seeking your views 

The Nursing Council is currently conducting a Review of the Enrolled Nurse Scope of Practice. This Review is being undertaken collaboratively, in partnership with the Enrolled Nurse section of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO). Reflecting our commitment to Te Tiriti partnership within this Review, we have also sought guidance from Te Poari o Te Rūnanga o Aotearoa (Te Poari). 

The first phase of this Review has focused on developing a new Enrolled Nurse Scope Statement, and we are now consulting on this proposed statement. This part of the scope of practice describes in broad terms what an Enrolled Nurse is and how they practise. This forms the foundation for the more detailed Enrolled Nurse competencies and education standards. This will be reviewed in the second phase, starting in early 2023. 

A Design Group has been established to work on this Review. With members drawn from the Council, the Enrolled Nurses Section, Te Poari, and educators and employers of Enrolled Nurses, this group that has been responsible for developing initial drafts of the proposed statement. The Design Group’s concepts have also been tested through a broader sector Reference Group.

We have prepared a consultation document that outlines the proposed Enrolled Nurse Scope Statement and the background to some key considerations for the Design Group. You can download this below 

Enrolled Nurse Scope Review Consultation Document  
In developing the new Statement, the Council undertook a background review of relevant academic literature, reports, and requirements in other jurisdictions. This has led to the development of a technical background document which contains more detailed information about the proposed changes, issues being considered, and information about enrolled nursing in Aotearoa New Zealand. You can download this below 

Enrolled Nurse Scope Review Technical Document  
You may also find the following resources of interest when thinking about the proposed new Scope Statement:
• The current Enrolled Nurse Scope Statement
• The Registered Nurse Scope Statement  
• Practically Speaking; a presentation by the Chief Executive of the RPNAO  
• The Development of the Enrolled Nurse Role in the Waikato Tainui Region, Aotearoa New Zealand 
• A Timeline of Enrolled Nursing in Aotearoa New Zealand
The Council’s fundamental role is to protect the safety of the public by ensuring that nurses are competent, safe, and fit practitioners. The scope and expectations of nursing have increased significantly over the last few decades, and regulation, practise, and employment arrangements must keep pace with these changes.  A variety of strategic and system-level barriers exist for the enrolled nurse workforce, this is an opportunity to provide feedback that is crucial to helping us understand how the Enrolled Nurse scope supports the utilisation of enrolled nurses across our health system as well as any implications of the proposed changes. 

How do I provide feedback on these proposals?

We value feedback from all people and organisations with a stake in the future of enrolled nursing. Consultation on the proposed Enrolled Nurse Scope Statement is currently open and will close at 5pm Monday 13 February 2023. 

In January and February 2023 we will be holding some targeted consultation opportunities. The timing of these will be advertised when they are confirmed. This will include opportunities designed specifically to engage with Māori and Pacific perspectives on the proposed statement. 

We have prepared a short questionnaire to help people provide feedback, which you can complete by following this link.  

We also welcome written submissions, especially if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation. These can be submitted to [email protected]. If you would prefer that the content of your submission remains confidential please state that in your submission. To assist with preparing a written submission, we have developed a template which you may find useful.
Survey response template
If you have any questions about the consultation, please contact us at [email protected].