Objective: The aim of this study is to document the enacted (actual) scope of practice (SOP) of nurses in pediatric settings in relation to education level and position.
Background: Baccalaureate-prepared staff nurses routinely carry out only a fraction of the activities essential for quality of care and patient safety they have been educated for. A direct care nurse clinician role exists for nurses with bachelor's degrees in Quebec, Canada.
Method: Survey of 301 nurses in a pediatric university hospital in Quebec was conducted.
Results: Enacted (actual) SOP for baccalaureate-educated nurses was significantly broader than that of nurses with junior college diplomas and nurse clinicians (baccalaureate-educated) carried out complex activities more frequently.
Conclusion: The creation of job titling and role descriptions that reflect the upper range of nursing competencies could be an important tool for promoting broadened SOP for baccalaureate nurses.