ABSTRACT
Leading on from the initial context of policy and professional regulations, this chapter discusses the scope of nurses' roles and responsibilities. It explains the different ways that nurses' roles have expanded and extended, outlines the training requirements, and discusses the implications for clinical services and patient care. One of the key implications of nurses expanding their current roles is legislation; therefore it seems important for nurses to understand the potential impact on professional accountability when nurses increase their clinical/medical responsibilities. The European Working Time Directive was one of the main drivers for nurse-led clinics. In addition, alternative clinical nursing models have provided a much needed and welcome breakthrough. In the 1970s, the concept of the nursing process was introduced in the UK, which was a four-stage model incorporating assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation. The chapter also outlines the different types of law relevant to nursing, explaining their meaning in order to understand the implications for clinical practice.
