When outlining the process for developing standards of practice the American Nurses Association relies on members as the first link in developing an official resource.
Members are nominated to a working group that researches the issue at hand and writes a statement before going to the ANA for final approval. This bottom-up approach ensures the standards are current and accurately represent nurses across the nation (ANA 2014).

The Department of Health Scope of Practice Tree asks us, Is the act permitted or prohibited by the nurse practice act, Is it consistent with standards? Do you have current clinical skills to perform the act safely? Is the act with in in standard of care? Are you prepared to accept the consequences of your action?

The six main categories of practice are assessment, Analysis, Outcome Identification, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation. By implementing standards of care we are able to provide excellent care to out patients. Different entities that might be involved in developing a standard of practice are The American nurses Association and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JACHO) have established and recognized standards of care.

Standards of care are found at the national and state level. State boards of nursing develop standards of care at the state level and enforce those standards. The American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) work on the national level. Professional specialty nursing organizations, Educational institutions, state boards of nursing and other government agencies develop standards of care.

American Nurses Association: Professional Standards (2014). Retrieved from http:// nursing world.org/nursing standards.

Creasea, J.L., & Fridberg, E.E. (2011). Conceptual foundations: The bridge to professional nursing practice (5th ed). [Elsevier Mosby.]