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Introduction
The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (AAOHN), the professional association for occupational and environmental health nurses (OHNs), establishes and promulgates standards for this nursing specialty based upon scope of practice.
Standards of occupational and environmental health nursing are developed by the profession to define and establish reasonable and customary standards of care. These authoritative statements describe the accountability of the practitioner and reflect the values and priorities of the profession.
AAOHN has identified eleven (11) professional practice standards that describe a competent level of performance with regard to the nursing process and professional roles of the OHN. Criteria developed for each standard are key indicators of competent practice and provide a basis for OHNs to evaluate their practice relative to the standards.
Standards are dynamic and evolve over time to reflect the changing scope of practice and the development of new knowledge. This document represents the current scope and knowledge base in occupational and environmental health nursing. Within these standards, the term client is an inclusive term including individual workers, workers' families, worker populations, communities/environments, and employers.
The Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics (AAOHN Code of Ethics and Interpretive Statements, 2009 ), and Core Curriculum (Core Curriculum for Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing, 3rd Ed., 2006 ), provide the basis for scope of practice, knowledge, skill, and the legal and ethical framework in occupational and environmental health nursing practice.
Definition of Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing
Occupational and environmental health nursing is the specialty practice that focuses on preventive healthcare, health promotion, and health restoration within the context of a safe and healthy environment (retrieved from www.aaohn.org, December 7, 2011). It includes the prevention of adverse health effects from occupational and environmental hazards and health promotion in general. The practice provides and delivers occupational and environmental health and safety programs and services to clients. Occupational and environmental health nursing is a specialty. Nurses provide healthcare and make nursing decisions within the scope of practice determined by state law (Strasser, AAOHN Journal, January 2011 ; Beitz, AAOHN Journal, August 2010 ; Noel, AAOHN Journal, January 2010 ).
The foundation for occupational and environmental health nursing is research-based. Recognizing the legal context for occupational health and safety, this specialty practice...