...Nursing as a Profession From the dawn of time nursing has existed, in one form or another. Because healthcare varies between cultures, nurses have historically taken on many different roles: a folk healer, a healer with religious ties, and that of a servant (Ellis & Hartley, 2012). Because of these various roles, some may not realize, or accept, that nursing has evolved into a much needed profession. This essay will discuss what a profession is, the criteria needed to be present in order to be considered a profession, and the reasons why nursing should be considered a profession. Criteria of a Profession In order to understand why I consider nursing a profession, you must first understand the meaning of the word. There are many varied definitions of the word profession. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines profession as a noun meaning “a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation” (n.d.). Harkreader, Hogan, and Thobaben build on the previous core definition by including five criteria: “provides an essential service to society, has a theoretical body of knowledge, requires relative independence in decision making in practice, requires specialized education, and has a code of ethics for behavior of its members” (p.2, 2007). Examples of how nursing meets each of these criteria of a profession are listed below. Provides an Essential Service to Society. Nurses provide a service that is unable to be substituted by any...
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...References 26 Appendix 27 Glossary of terms CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. DNACPR: Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. NMC: Nursing & Midwifery Council. GMC: General Medical Council. BMA: British Medical Association. GP: General Practitioner Introduction The Aim of this module is to encourage me to enhance my personal and professional skills, to increase the efficacy of patient care and interaction. Also to make me more aware of the legal, professional and ethical implications of practice. The module allowed me to further develop my knowledge of these topics: Ethics & Accountability, Legal Aspects of Practice, finally Accountability & Professional Practice. I was then asked to submit an essay of 4500 words based on the following: “Critically analyse an aspect of care from your practice setting that encompasses the ethical, professional & legal role of the nurse. Issues of accountability should be incorporated into this essay”. Aspect of care The aspect of care I have chosen to include in my essay is the “Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR)” Adult Policy 2010 (please see Appendix 1). I decided to choose this topic as there was a situation on my ward recently where a patient discovered a DNACPR form in the front of her nursing notes. The patient was very upset as she was not aware of this decision. She was an elderly lady with end stage Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. It came...
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...WORD COUNT 3846 Introduction The aim of this assignment is to consider whether mental health patients have autonomy or do staff and the healthcare environment merely allow them a measurable quantity of autonomy based on legal, ethical and moral restrictions, if this is the case, is this autonomy at all? Placement experiences will be given in relation to patient autonomy and related ethical, legal and professional issues will be supported and/ or contrasted by relevant literature. Patient autonomy and capacity, consent, compliance, coercion and paternalism with be considered. In an attempt to show a deeper understanding and ability to apply theory to practice, the moral theories of liberal individualism, utilitarianism, Kantianism and communitarianism will be discussed in relation to patient autonomy. Attitudes, values, assumptions related to patient autonomy, implications for practice and care provision will also be reviewed. This topic has been chosen, due to personal interest following practice experiences on an adult acute mental health unit. All identifying factors relating to the patients have been changed to maintain client confidentiality (Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) Code of Professional Conduct 2002). A conclusion will be offered to evaluate findings, finalising with a reflective summary focusing on the process of enquiry. Autonomy Autonomy means self rule (Dworkin 1988). It as the ability to think, choose and act freely and independently (Gillon 1992)...
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...The nursing profession has metamorphosed from a primitive unorganised practice in ancient times, to the mostly autonomous, essential profession that is prevalent in countries worldwide. It has undergone tremendous changes in response to societal needs and due to its dynamic component, will continue to change ever so often in order to effectively produce service to society (Berman, Snyder, Kozier & Erb, 2008). The importance of nursing stemmed from the traditional female role as mother, wife, sister and daughter. As Berman et al (2008) posit, in these offices, females were naturally expected to be caregivers and nurturers both for their family members and the individuals in the community. The care these females provided was generally related to comfort and maintaining the physical health of the individuals within their care. Hence the historical beginnings of nursing has shaped the humanistic, altruistic, comforting and supporting roles that nurses have undertaken in today’s society. From a Caribbean perspective, nursing has cemented its importance in our afro-centric society due to the essential care giving role of the ‘nanas’, who were elderly slave women, on the plantation. Swaby (2005) asserts that these women were “...one of the best disposed and trustworthy women on the estate” whose responsibility was but not limited to “keeping the plantation hospital and the sick in it, to clean and prepare such foods as were prescribed”. Although this form of health care was somewhat...
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...Centered Care Monet J. Scott Chamberlain College of Nursing NR: 501 Theoretical Basis Advance Nursing May 2015 Concept Analysis of Patient Centered Care A concept analysis seeks to outline, distinguish, and enhance the clarity of the nursing profession as well as stimulate future research endeavors. Within the development of a concept analysis, notions and thoughts are outlined and examined through the fundamental features of that particular concept. According to Walker & Avant (2011), the seven steps to accomplishing a concept analysis includes the selection of a concept, determining the purpose of analysis, identifying all uses of the concept, defining attributes, identifying a model case of the concept, identifying antecedents and consequences, and identifying empirical references. Patient centered care is an imperative task performed by not only nurses, but the absolute interdisciplinary staff involved. It is essential to the establishment of quality care with the ultimate goal of positive patient outcomes. Several responsibilities of the nurse for patient centered care may include pain relief, listening, advocating for the patient, disease prevention, health promotion, respect for patient values and preferences, and maintaining patient dignity and identity (Lusk & Fater, 2013). Jean Watson’s theory of caring closes correlates with the concept of patient centered care in respect to the practice of nursing. This concept analysis of patient centered care includes...
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...Professional Roles and Values Assessment Western Governors University Introduction Nursing has certainly changed over the 25 years that I have practicing. However, there are some basic concepts that have guided me throughout my career that have not changed. I will discuss those to provide a clear view of what my mission as a nurse is. First I will discuss the functional differences between a regulatory agency and a professional nursing organization. Next I will discuss two examples of how provisions from a nursing code of ethics influence my practice. Third I will discuss four professional traits from the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics that would be brought to an interdisciplinary team meeting. After that I will identify a nursing theory that has influenced my professional practice. Then I will discuss how the contributions of one historical nursing figure impacted my professional practice. Finally, I will discuss a scenario in which as a nurse I safeguarded beneficence, nonmaleficence, respect for autonomy, or justice. Functional Differences The differences between a Board of Nursing and a Professional Association basically is the Board of Nursing regulates nursing practice and Professional Associations advocate for nurses. The Board of Nursing regulates nursing practice by developing rules and regulations, regulates the accreditation of nursing programs, oversees the licensure process, and enforces laws. Each state board works with the National Council...
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...Theoretical Framework of Compassion Fatigue September 11, 2014 Theoretical Framework of Compassion Fatigue Compassion fatigue, which is also known, as secondary traumatic stress is a natural effect that occurs as a result of taking care of patients who are in pain, stressed, suffering, or traumatized. Compassion fatigue commonly affects nurses who show extreme empathy for patients and their relatives. Empathy is the act of putting oneself in another person’s situation or understanding one's feelings (Walker & Alligood, 2001). It has always been a nurse’s role to show empathy to patients and their relatives. In the process of sympathizing and empathizing, nurses can easily develop compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue affects nurses physically, psychologically, and spiritually in addition to affecting their daily duties. Nurses may intentionally stop working with certain patients or reduce their empathy for patients, and others may have repetitive call-ins to avoid working specific patient populations. These adverse effects can easily lower hospital or institution productivity. Therefore, it is advisable for nurses to be encouraged to seek advice and counseling from counselors, mentors, psychologists, and other responsible persons. It is also necessary for nurses to be aware of the symptoms of compassion fatigue to facilitate taking preventative measures as early as possible. The compassion fatigue theory is connected to the relationship between the patient and the...
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...Nursing research is one of the courses that will distinguish the BSN from your current level of education. Why do you think that BSN needs to have a working knowledge of nursing research? According to Grave et Al, The ultimate goal of nursing is an evidence – based practice that promotes quality, safe, and cost – effective outcomes for patients, families, healthcare providers, and healthcare system. And evidence – based practice is the product of integration of results of nursing researches with clinical expertise and patients’ needs and values. Therefore, in order to success in nursing career, nurses should equip themselves a sufficient knowledge and skills in nursing research. A BSN is educated and trained with sufficient knowledge and skills to understand and critically appraise nursing researches. Beside their care to patients, they also play a role as assistant in process of implementation of evidence – based guidelines, protocols, algorithms, and policies in practice. In addition, they might provide valuable assistance in identifying research problems and collecting data for studies. Therefore, a BSN needs to have a working knowledge of nursing research. Some nurses feel that nursing research is intimidating. Does research feel that way to you and what can you do to get past that? According to Grove et Al, research means, “to search again.” And the purpose of searching again is to validate and refine existing knowledge, or to develop new knowledge on the base of current...
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...How does knowledge of the foundations and history of nursing provide a context in which to understand current practice? In order to comprehend the art of nursing one must appreciate and have knowledge of the nursing foundation and historical events that have evolved over time to understand and apply to their current practice. The article Nursing History, Theory and Conceptual Models states that before Florence Nightingale, nurses were the “sinners, saints, or mothers.” The women that were nurses’ from the beginning of time were women that were either religious leaders or more commonly had a disgraceful reputation to society and over the years nursing has evolved to a highly respectable profession. I remember learning the historical events and the history of nursing before learning anything else in my first nursing class. In order to move forward sometimes you must step back and take a closer look to understand things clearer. Identify at least three trends in nursing practice from the "Nursing Timeline of Historical Events" media piece. 1. One trend in nursing would be Florence Nightingale’s dedication to improve healthcare sanitation and hygiene which has saved so many lives and continues to be pursued to the modern day of nursing. The Nursing Timeline of History piece discusses how her development and advancement to enhance nurses’ education contributed to the “establishment of measures to analyze disease and mortality rates using statistical measures.” Through evidence...
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...| Professional decision making | Bachelor of Nursing 02nd Batch | | Mariyam Ibrahim | S028677 | | Introduction This assignment is based on a scenario in which Dalaika a 69 year old terminally ill female who has been admitted in medical ward for one month. For her pain medication the physician ordered a placebo to be altered with a low-dose pain medication. Since it was a placebo her pain has not alleviated and she is in severe pain. She tells the nurse that her pain is unbearable. The nurse approaches the physician with her concerns but he did not agree to increase her pain medication or replace the placebo. Therefore, in this paper I will discuss the ways in which nursing in the Maldives protects the rights of the patient, relatives and nurses. Moreover, ethical and legal issues in this scenario will be discussed. Professional standards A standard is an expected and achievable level of performance against which actual performance can be compared. It is the minimum level of performance. Professional standards are written as guidelines. Such guidelines help assure patients that they are receiving high-quality care. The standards are important if a legal dispute arises over the quality of care provided a patient. The main target of setting professional standards is to reflect the values of the nursing profession, clarify what the profession expects of nurses. The primary purpose of professional standards is to promote, guide and direct professional practice...
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...The two principles that are in focus are beneficence and non-maleficence. Both beneficence and non-maleficence have played a fundamental historical role in medical ethics (Beauchamp &ump; Childress, 2009). Non-maleficence is often paired with beneficence, but there is a difference between these two principles (Rich, 2008). According to Beauchamp and Childress (2009) conflating beneficence and non-maleficence into a single principle obscures important distinctions. In addition, both of these ethical principles beneficence and non-maleficence are strengthened by state nursing practice acts, which mandate that nurses are legally obligated to safeguard patients and the profession (Bjarnason &ump; LaSala, 2011). Furthermore, it is with great purpose that we discuss the two principles beneficence and non-maleficence and their importance to the nursing profession. The principle of beneficence is concerned with a moral obligation to act for the benefits of others (Kennedy, 2004). Additionally, beneficence is the principle consisting of deeds such as mercy, kindness, and charity (Rich, 2008). There are other forms of beneficence including altruism, love, and humanity (Beauchamp &ump; Childress, 2009). We use beneficence in order to cover beneficent actions more broadly, so that it includes all forms of action to benefit other persons (Beauchamp &ump; Childress, 2009). Overall, beneficence implies that an individual takes action to do good by benefiting others and facilitating...
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...EITHICAL DELIMAS IN NURSING Green Group Shannon Blake, Sherri Dunn, Susan Brown, Tammie Hicks, Miriam Cook Grand Canyon University Nrs-437 November 7, 2015 Nurses have been playing very important roles in the caring of patients throughout the continuum of life and at the end of life for years. It is the position of the ANA that participation of nurses in euthanasia is prohibited as those acts are in contradiction of the code of ethics for nurses. Nurses have a duty to provide humane, comprehensive and compassionate care in respect to the rights of patients, but maintain the standard of the profession in the presence of chronic, debilitating illness and at the end of life. Voluntary euthanasia is the act of taking a life painlessly especially to relief suffering from an incurable illness, with the consent of a dying patient. Denying people such wishes can lead to unnecessary suffering. There are two types of euthanasia; involuntary, where patients refuse to consent and non-voluntary, patients unable to consent. Euthanasia can have great impact on the society. It affects everyone one way or another. Although a person has autonomy to make decisions about his end of life care doesn’t take away from the fact that their family and friends will be affected with guilt, anger and bitterness. Voluntary euthanasia can hamper efforts to advance medical research in finding cures for diseases (Saunders, 2011). As the nurse taking care of a terminally ill patient...
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...RUNNING HEAD: Nursing Profession Nursing Profession Nursing Profession A profession is defined as an occupation requiring special education (especially in the liberal arts or sciences). There are many characteristics that make up a profession, for example professionals are considered experts having a higher degree of knowledge and autonomous. Professionals are governed by a code of ethics such as value, quality of service, honor and integrity. A hallmark that is also acknowledged is accountability. There is typically a system in place to test out the competence of professionals. The nursing profession as a whole, through its professional and regulatory organizations, promotes advancement of nursing practice, identifies standard of practice and promotes professional development (Bassendowski & Petrucka 2009). Historically, nursing has been understood as a calling or a vocation, but modern, secular nursing has essentially understood itself as a profession and, more recently, as a practice (Liaschenko, & Peter, 2004). Although it is considered to be a profession by those in nursing, it has not been categorized as a true occupation in the sociology of professions’ literature, one of the key issues is related to the formal knowledge of nursing and the power associated with it (Yam, 2004). It has been argued that nursing does meet the professional criteria and it is a clear it does not now and never did have...
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...Project M. Ryan Western Governors University RUP1 Project Nursing as a profession is an incredibly varied field, with as many opinions on how and why as there are nurses. It is therefore incumbent on each nurse to determine what aspects of nursing research and history will influence her practice. This work is presented as a Professional Nursing Mission Statement for the author. In the following pages, the governing bodies, ethical code, professional traits, nursing theorist and theory, and historical figure that guide personal nursing practice are presented with scenarios demonstrating their effects. Providing the building blocks for an individual approach to nursing will result in a deeper understanding of practice. A. Functional Differences In practice a nurse has two important guides for legal, ethical and competent nursing: regulatory agencies, such as the California Board of Registered Nursing, and professional nursing organizations, such as the American Nurses Association, While both entities provide frameworks for nursing practice, their functional differences vary. The California Board of Registered Nursing (2013) is responsible for the licensure and regulation of nursing practice of all registered nurses in the state of California. The agency implements and enforces laws governing nursing practice in its jurisdiction as outlined in the state’s Nursing Practice Act. This includes the definition of nursing in the state, which actions may or may not be performed by a...
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...Professionalism and Professional Values of Nursing in Mental Health Professionalism refers to professional character, spirit, or methods. It is a set of attributes, a way of life that implies responsibility and commitment. Nursing, as a profession is differentiated from a job or other occupations by distinct characteristics. These characteristics include specialized training, service orientation of members, ongoing research, code of ethics, autonomy and professional organization (Berman, Synder, Kozier & Erb, 2008). According to Fahrenwald et al (2005), the five core values of professional nursing are human dignity, integrity, autonomy, altruism and social justice. These core values are essential in the training of nurses and integration in practice by the caring professional nurse enhances patients’ care. Townsend (2011), states that caring for individuals with mental illness is challenging as nurses are frequently faced with complex situations, in which difficult decisions has to be made. This situation is further compounded by the stigma associated with mental illness, denial of illness, costs, limitation of access to services, lack of parity, changing needs of the population, which make majority of patients with mental illness not to seek treatment (Mohr, 2009), thereby posing a danger to themselves and the community. The practice of nursing has set standards aimed at improving the health and well-being of all individuals, communities...
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