Nursing

Assignment #1
            According to the first provision, a nurse is supposed to exercise due care, love, dignity and compassion when offering services to healthcare recipients (American Nurses Association, 2014). In addition, nurses are expected to uphold and attach inherent value to individuals who are unique in their own ways. Nurses should not put into consideration factors such as background of health problems, personal attributes, economic status as well as social or political backgrounds when serving patients. The first provision implies that nurses are obliged to serve all patients without bias. The key tenets of this provision include enhancing positive relationship with fellow workers and the general public, self determination right, nature of health challenges, relationship with patients, and respect for human dignity.

In my professional experience, I have indeed encountered a situation where this provision applies. I can recall one time when I was compelled by the prevailing situation to offer care to a carjacker. The young man in his late twenties had been shot in the left leg by policemen due to robbery with violence. I can remember this was at a time when car theft was rife in my local town. A number of people lost their lives in the hands of gang robbers. When the survivor was rushed into the emergency ward, I felt like I could not offer any nursing care to him. However, I was fully guided by the first provision of the nursing code of conduct. I had to play my role as a nurse by attending to the patient. I would handle the same scenario in a similar manner if I encounter it this time round. Besides, I will do it with an open and dedicated mind compared to last time.

Response from peer 1

            Although I agree with Les Bungo on the key tenets of provision 2, the peer did not apply the case scenario in the most appropriate manner. It is indeed true that the patient seriously required a new prosthetic leg before going to a rehabilitation center. However, Les Bungo did not bother to inquire from the physician why he/she had rejected the patient’s request. The application of provision 2 in a hospital setting does not imply insubordination of other colleagues at workplace. It is possible that the physician was offended by the action of the nurse especially if he was not consulted regarding the issue.

Response from peer 2

I agree with Crist Cornichi on provision 5.2 because competence and personal growth of nurses can only be attained through lifelong long. This provision is keen in making sure that nurses are in a position to deliver the best quality care to patients at all times. Even after attaining basic degree in nursing, there is still room to improve professional growth and development by enrolling in higher levels of studies. In addition, working experience also adds value to an individual’s professional growth

Assignment # 2

Option 1

It is indeed true that the baccalaureate degree sets the ground for future professional practice in nursing (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2014). It is the minimum threshold for nurses who desire to growth both professionally and personally in the course of delivering care to patients. As it stands now, there are mounting complexities and rapid expansion of clinical knowledge. This implies that the healthcare mandate for nurses has also moved a step ahead. In other words, the diversified roles that nurses are supposed to perform should be commensurate with their educational background. In addition, it is pertinent to mention that healthcare delivery is no longer static at the hospital level or in-patient care. More proactive preventive measures are being adopted across multiple settings. This implies that a baccalaureate degree prepares nurses for greater responsibilities and therefore, it should be acknowledged as a priority area (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2014). Moreover, nurses who have gained additional knowledge after acquiring a baccalaureate degree are highly likely to be independent decision makers even as they deal with day-to-day supervision of unlicensed assistants or offer direct bedside care to patients (Spetz, & Bates, 2013).

My views have significantly changed over the course of this BSN program. Initially, I thought that the program was a mere waste of time for nurses. I thought that the most important thing for nurses was to acquire basic nursing skills and competences and then be registered. Hence, the latter could only take at most three years through a diploma program. I also felt that the nursing profession was a rather subordinate profession that did not necessarily require a bachelor’s degree. Nonetheless, my perception has gradually changed with time.

Response from peer 1

I do not agree with Drewing Chango that BSN should not necessarily be a minimum preparation for professional practice. There is every reason why a background in BSN forms a background in nursing practice. For example, a BSN offers advanced opportunities for nurses to fully understand their roles and the workplace environment. In other words, nurses are more exposed when they hold a BSN than the associate degree. Nurses should also be in a position to enroll in programs that have no incentives like a BSN. This tests their authenticity and selfless attitude to offer humane care to patients even in a less motivating environment.

Response from peer 2

Assignment # 3

Executive Summary

There must be a firm reason for an individual to make a particular choice of profession. My passion to offer compassionate care to patient motivated me to pursue a nursing profession. At a personal level, I feel contended when I offer nursing care to the most deserving healthcare recipients. It elicits a lot of joy and contentment to me when I attend to patents and eventually see them go through the recovery phase before being discharged out of hospital.

I strongly believe that I have attained desired professional accomplishments in the course of my practice as a nurse. I have an associate degree in nursing (ADN). I am also an Associate of Arts (AA) holder.  I have played the functions of a certified nursing assistant and delivered my duties professionally.

I am a registered nurse (Float pool) and have served duties such as assisting in the rehabilitation of patients using the individualized patient care plan approach. I have also ensured that the psycho-social needs, safety and physical comfort of patients are identified and met. Other professional duties include observing and recording all crucial information about patient progress, Educating patients on medication administration and treatment regimen, evaluating and documentation of patients’ health outcome, providing care to geriatric patient population while maintaining dignity and respect, organizing social activities and games to encourage group interaction and promote physical/mental wellbeing. I have also empowered and supported patients to self-direct their journey along the process of aging.

Since 2012, I have had opportunities to delegate and assign duties to Licensed Practical Nurse and Geriatric Nurse Assistants. Between May 2000 and December 2008, I worked as a Certified Nurse Assistant. My duties included Checking vital signs and blood sugar, documenting patient output and oral intake, assisting patients with activities of daily living, range of motion exercise, ambulation, and transportation to medical procedures. Some of the related areas of specialization include oncology, rehabilitation, geriatrics, pediatrics, emergency, respiratory, cardiac care, orthopedics, and maternity care unit.

In regards to my strengths as a nurse, I have had competent and therapeutic care for different patient population during my various work placements. Besides, I have a proven ability to practice critical thinking in using problem solving, critical evaluation, decision making skills and objectivity in approaching challenges during emergency codes while acting as a code leader in Washington Hospital Center, DC I am also a team player. While working as a Registered Nurse and as a Certified Nurse Assistant, I demonstrated excellent organizational and time management skills. I am also excellent in communication and analytical skills especially when working with diverse patient population in various clinical settings

My professional goal is to acquire adequate education in nursing in order to develop as a professional nurse. Thereafter, I plan to seek a position as a Registered Nurse in a healthcare organization where I can provide nursing services to a diverse patient population using evidence based practices to comfort and restore lives. I also desire to offer competent and therapeutic care for different patient population.

To recap it all, nursing profession has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few decades. There are increasing complexities in the field of nursing that demand continuous innovation and invention in the healthcare sector. It is against this backdrop that I plan to fill the ever growing gap in the delivery of nursing services by acquiring a baccalaureate degree in nursing and later putting the same into professional practice.

References

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2014). The Baccalaureate Degree in  Nursing as Minimal Preparation for Professional Practice. Retrieved from

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/publications/position/bacc-degree-prep

American Nurses Association (2014). Code of ethics for Nurses. Retrieved from

http://www.nursingworld.org/mainmenucategories/ethicsstandards/codeofethicsfornurses

Spetz, J., & Bates, T. (2013). Is a baccalaureate in nursing worth it? The return to  education, 2000-2008. Health Services Research, 48(6), 1859-1878.