266 appendix 3 | Guidelines for the Registered Nurse in Giving, Accepting, or Rejecting a Work Assignment*nursing management be maintained to assure
patient safety. The likelihood of a satisfactory solu-
tion will increase if there is prior consideration of
the choicesavailable. This consideration of avail-
able alternatives should include recognition that
professional nurses are intelligent adults who
should be involved in the decision making process.
Professional nurses are accountable for nursing
judgments and actions regardless of the personal
consequences. Providing safe nursing care to the
patient is the ultimate objective of the professional
nurse and the health care facility.
The Florida Nurses Association Labor and
Employment Relations Commission acknowl-
edges:
■the Florida Organization of Nurse Executives
for input and collaboration in this document
and the development of the previous 1989 edi-
tion of this document.
■the Florida Nurses Association Labor and
Employment Relations Commissionfor final
preparation of the revised 1999 edition of this
document.Resources
To maintain current and accurate information on
accountability of registered nurses for giving,
accepting, or rejecting a work assignment, the fol-
lowing resources are suggested:
■Health Care Facility:Nurses are encouraged to
seek consultation with their nurse manager/
executives to discuss the facility’s missions and
goals as well as policies and procedures.■The Florida Nurses Association,the largest
statewide organization for registered nurses,
represents nursing in the governmental, policy
making arena and maintains current informa-
tion and publications relative to the nurse’s
practice environment. Contact FNA or check
out our website http://www.floridanurse.org
for the benefits and services of membership, as
well as priorities and activities of the
Association.
■The American Nurses Associationserves as
the national clearing-house of information and
offers publications on contemporary issues,
including standards of practice, nursing ethics,
as well as legal and regulatory issues. Contact
ANA for a complimentary copy of the
Publications Catalogue.
■ANA Survival Kit (1996) available through the
American Nurses Association.
■ANA Basic Guide to Safe Delegationavailable
through the American Nurses Association.
■ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses(1998) available
through the American Nurses Association.
■ANA Standards and Scope of Practice (1997)
available through the American Nurses
Association.
■Nurse Practice Act (Florida Statutes 464,
January 1994) and Administrative Rules (59S).
■Board of Nursing. A complimentary copy of
the Nurse Practice Act is available to each
registered nurse upon request.
*Reproduced with permission of Florida Nurses
Association, 1999, Orlando, Florida.2208_APP-3_261-266.qxd 11/6/09 6:05 PM Page 266