The following is an excerpt from 244 Code of Massachusetts Regulations
244 CMR: BOARD OF REGISTRATION IN NURSING , 4/8/94 (Effective 3/11/94) – corrected 244 CMR – 9
244 CMR 3.00: REGISTERED NURSE
3.01: Definition – Registered Nurse
Registered Nurse is the designation given to an individual who is licensed to practice
professional nursing, holds ultimate responsibility for direct and indirect nursing care, is a
graduate of an approved school for professional nursing, and is currently licensed as a Registered
Nurse pursuant to M.G.L. c. 112. Included in such responsibility is providing nursing care,
health maintenance, teaching*, counseling, planning and restoration for optimal functioning and
comfort, of those they serve.
3.02: Responsibilities and Functions – Registered Nurse
A registered nurse shall bear full and ultimate responsibility for the quality of nursing care
she/he provides to individuals and groups. Included in such responsibility is health maintenance,
teaching, counseling, collaborative planning and restoration of optimal functioning and comfort
or for the dignified death of those they serve. A registered nurse, within the parameters of
his/her generic and continuing education and experience, may delegate nursing activities to ther
registered nurses and/or health care personnel, provided, that the delegating registered nurse
shall bear full and ultimate responsibility for:
(1) making an appropriate assignment;
(2) properly and adequately teaching, directing and supervising the delegatee; and
(3) the outcomes of that delegation. A registered nurse shall act, within his/her generic and
continuing education and experience to:
(a) systematically assess health status of individuals and groups and record the related
health data;
(b) analyze and interpret said recorded data; and make informed judgments therefrom as to
the specific problems and elements of nursing care mandated by a particular situation;
(c) plan and implement nursing intervention which includes all appropriate elements of
nursing care, prescribed medical or other therapeutic regimens mandated by the particular
situation, scientific principles, recent advancements and current knowledge in the field;
(d) provide and coordinate health teaching required by individuals, families and groups so
as to maintain the optimal possible level of health;
(e) evaluate outcomes of nursing intervention, and initiate change when appropriate;
(f) collaborate, communicate and cooperate as appropriate with other health care providers
to ensure quality and continuity of care;
(g) serve as patient advocate, within the limits of the law.