Diagnosing diseases is generally within the scope of practice for physicians, not nurses, unless the nurse holds an advanced practice certification (e.g., Nurse Practitioner).
Scope of practice refers to the activities and responsibilities that a professional is legally authorized to perform based on their training, certification, and licensure.
Scope of practice is largely determined by the professional’s formal education, training, and licensure, ensuring they have the knowledge and skills to perform certain tasks.
State and federal regulations, along with professional licensing boards, define the scope of practice for various healthcare professionals to ensure patient safety and standardization.
Practicing outside one’s legal scope can lead to loss of licensure, fines, and legal consequences, as well as putting patients at risk.
