The American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN) sets the standards for ambulatory care nursing to help you achieve an expected level of care for your patients and performance of your staff.
The Ambulatory Care Scope and Standards promotes effective clinical and administrative management of increasingly complex ambulatory care RN roles and responsibilities in a changing health care environment. The 9th Edition contains significant revisions from previous versions, including an updated Scope of Practice statement, as well as updates for the 16 standards of professional ambulatory care nursing practice.
The Ambulatory Care Scope and Standards, as well as the CCTM Scope and Standards and Telehealth Scope and Standards, all follow a similar format.
The Scope of Practice addresses the:
- Definition of the ambulatory care nursing specialty and its defining characteristics
- Conceptual framework
- History of ambulatory care nursing and events that changed its nature over time
- Existing challenges and future possibilities
The Standards describe the responsibilities for which ambulatory care RNs are accountable. They specify two domains:
- Professional Clinical Practice
- Nursing Organizational and Professional Performance
Standards can be used to:
- Advance professional practice in the specialty.
- Develop competencies, standards, policies, and procedures.
- Create role descriptions and performance appraisal instruments.
- Develop performance improvement initiatives.
- Prepare for certification exams.
- Stimulate research and evidence-based practice.
- Guide ethical practice and patient advocacy.
View Sample Pages / Purchase the Ambulatory Care Standards
The following standards are pertinent to the ambulatory care setting:
Ambulatory Care Nursing
These standards promote effective clinical and administrative management of increasingly complex ambulatory care RN roles and responsibilities in a changing health care environment.
Telehealth Nursing
Telehealth is an integral part of ambulatory care nursing practice. These standards promote effective clinical and administrative management of services provided by RNs via telecommunications technology.
Care Coordination and Transition Management (CCTM)
CCTM is a critical role for RNs in the transformation of health care. These standards describe the responsibilities for which RNs practicing CCTM are accountable in ambulatory care and other settings.