Nursing autonomy refers to a nurse’s ability to make independent care decisions within their scope of practice. It also encompasses serving as a patient advocate to ensure the patient receives the necessary medical information to make an informed care decision.
Nurses don’t function as doctors’ assistants; they are autonomous clinical professionals who can make decisions about patient care within their scope of practice. Nurses fulfill an essential role in the healthcare system by increasing patient safety, delivering patient care and education, and promoting better patient outcomes.
Autonomy in nursing is a hallmark of the profession. As a future nurse earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), you can look forward to collaborating with other providers while exercising your professional judgment.
Averett University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program teaches nursing fundamentals and sets students on the path toward practicing as autonomous nursing professionals. Averett ABSN students enjoy both didactic coursework and hands-on, immersive learning experiences that prepare them to become effective leaders in patient care.
As you think about your future career plans, take some time to learn the answers to common questions, such as “What is autonomy in nursing?” and “How can a nursing student develop important skills for nursing autonomy?”
Thinking about relocating for nursing school? Learn how Averett’s Accelerated BSN works.
What Is Autonomy in Nursing?
Under the Nursing Code of Ethics developed by the American Nurses Association (ANA), autonomy in nursing is one of the four main ethical principles in the nursing profession. Under the code, autonomous nursing care encompasses the following:
- Ensuring that each patient has the necessary medical information to make informed decisions about their care
- Advocating for the patient to ensure their medical wishes are respected, even if other members of the care team disagree with those wishes
- Understanding that patients have the right to make decisions about their own healthcare
Nursing autonomy also encompasses making independent care decisions when necessary and possible. Nurses must, however, recognize when there is a need to consult another medical provider before making certain decisions.
The Importance of Autonomously Nursing in Healthcare
Professional autonomy for registered nurses (RNs) is critical in healthcare. Nurses must make patient care decisions within their scope of practice. It isn’t practical or time-efficient to consult a doctor about every decision that needs to be made. Patients often require immediate interventions if their health condition is deteriorating.
Autonomy in the nursing profession offers the following main benefits:
- Increases efficiency in delivering patient care
- Improves patient outcomes, as nurses are able to make timely clinical decisions that align with the patient’s expressed wishes
- Enhances nurses’ career satisfaction, lowering turnover rates
- Promotes organizational health and a positive work culture, as independently functioning RNs can offer feedback and help shape organizational policies and procedures
Learn seven top nursing core values to apply in your practice.
Examples of How Autonomy Works in Nursing
RNs make numerous decisions every shift. It’s important, however, for nurses to fully understand their scope of professional practice under the regulations established by their state.
While nurses are free to make decisions within their scope of practice, some decisions must be made by another provider. For example, while RNs can administer medications, they cannot prescribe them. Some examples of how autonomy works in the nursing field include:
Administering Medications
Patients, such as those who are recovering from surgery, are often prescribed PRN, or as-needed, medications. PRN medications have already been prescribed by a physician or a nurse practitioner.
RNs can administer these medications on an as-needed basis. To do this, they evaluate the patient’s symptoms, such as pain level, determine the need and desire for medication, and assess whether the patient is due for another dose.
If the nurse determines that the patient could benefit from an additional medication, such as ondansetron to control nausea caused by opioids, they can request the prescription from an authorized provider and then administer it.
Monitoring Health Status and Making Emergency Decisions
Nurses monitor their patients’ vital signs and other indicators of health status. They notice when their patients are exhibiting signs of decline or distress. In some cases, nurses must make emergency decisions for their patients’ welfare.
For example, a patient exhibiting signs of confusion may need to have their blood glucose checked. Similarly, a patient whose heart has ceased beating needs emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Delegating Tasks and Requesting Referrals
RNs handle many patient care tasks themselves; however, the patient care workload is often considerable. RNs have the autonomy to delegate care tasks to other providers, such as licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs).
Similarly, they have the authority to request referrals when needed and to coordinate patient care. For example, if a patient is displaying poor wound healing, an RN may request a referral to a registered dietician.
Potential Barriers to Nursing Autonomy
As important as autonomy in nursing is, there are multiple barriers that can reduce autonomy in the healthcare workplace. They can include:
- Negative working conditions and a poor work culture
- Rigid hierarchy
- Lack of sufficient technical knowledge
- Nursing staff shortages
- Nursing resources shortages
- Work overload leading to physical and emotional exhaustion
- Poor communication with nurse managers
How to Develop Autonomy in Nursing
All RNs have some degree of autonomy, but nursing autonomy can also be cultivated. You can start while you’re a student in nursing school by being devoted to acquiring deep clinical knowledge. Without sufficient clinical knowledge, you will be unable to make effective, safe patient care decisions.
It’s also important to master certain soft skills, such as:
- Analytical reasoning
- Communication
- Critical thinking
- Organization
Be proactive, seek out mentors, focus on building relationships with instructors and your cohort, and ask as many questions as needed.
As a licensed RN, you can continue to cultivate the skills that make you a more effective and independent clinician. Consider the following strategies:
- Actively engage in your workplace by joining committees to influence policies.
- Become a mentee and remain open-minded when receiving guidance. Later in your career, consider becoming a nurse mentor.
- Focus on being a strong patient advocate who actively involves patients in their own care decisions.
- Seek professional development opportunities. Take advantage of any such programs offered by your employer.
You might also consider going back to school to earn a graduate degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). A graduate degree can equip nurses with advanced leadership skills that support a more autonomous nursing practice.
What do nurses do? Consider the many roles nurses fulfill in healthcare.
Get Started as a Nursing Student at Averett
If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 non-nursing college credits, you could take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and become a practicing RN sooner than you might think. Averett’s ABSN program allows you to earn your BSN in as few as 16 months. With three start dates and no waitlist, you could get started quickly.
The accelerated pace is intense, but you’ll have Academic Success Coaches to help you along the way. You’ll also benefit from personalized attention from faculty members, thanks to our small class sizes.
Contact an admissions advisor today to learn more about Averett University’s Norfolk ABSN learning center and our admissions process.