PURPOSE: The role of registered nurses is expanding in scope as the healthcare paradigm shifts from acute, hospital-based care to community and population-based care. Given this paradigm shift, this study explores the legal aspects of the role of a registered nurse.METHODS: We used document analysis for extracting laws and legal orders related to nursing from the entirety of Korean law. Using textualism approach, we examined the contents utilizing a framework that was developed based on the role classification of community nurses by Clark in this study.RESULTS: A total of 119 items related to nursing were derived from 64 laws. Of these, 71.4 % can be performed by people in multiple types of occupations including nurses. As a result of analyzing required qualifications, 45.4% of 119 items required additional qualifications besides registered nurse license. Analysis of workplace and activity type demonstrated that 26.1% of the 119 items were related to medical institutions, with nurses performing mostly “Client-oriented role.” More than half (68.9%) were non-medical institutions, with nurses performing mostly “Delivery-oriented role.” Some, however, did not stipulate the nurse's roles clearly.CONCLUSION: Therefore, to match the enhanced scope and responsibilities of registered nurses and to appropriately recognize, guide, and hold these nurses accountable, laws and policy must reflect these changes. In doing so, these updated laws and policies will ultimately serve as a basis for improving the quality and safety of nursing services.
Classification ; Delivery of Health Care ; Humans ; Jurisprudence ; Legislation, Nursing ; Licensure ; Nurse's Role ; Nurses ; Nursing ; Nursing Services ; Occupations ; Republic of Korea

The ageing population is posing new challenges to Singapore's healthcare system. The rise of dual income and the decline of extended families, as well as an increase in age-related degenerative disorders due to increased longevity render it difficult for the family to remain the primary social safety net to care for our elderly in their own homes. Consequently, nursing homes may become increasingly relevant for resource and expertise-challenged families to cope with the burden of caring for a frail and dependent elderly. However, as the recent Nightingale Nursing Home elderly mistreatment incident attests, the standards of some have been found wanting. This paper will trace the history of nursing homes in Singapore and the evolution of government policies towards them, discuss the challenges and trade-offs of nursing home regulation, and provide suggestions for better care and governance.
Aged ; Forecasting ; Guidelines as Topic ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; Humans ; Nursing Homes ; history ; legislation & jurisprudence ; standards ; trends ; Singapore