Gerontological nurses are expected to cater for an age group that forms the greater number of patients in the hospitals. For example, those with 65 years and older represent about 38% of those admitted in hospitals. In addition, many may be found with complexities of illnesses they have been treated more than once (DeFrances & Hall, 2007; (Mezey, Quinlan, Fairchild, & Vezina, 2006; cited in Certification Tool Kit). It is therefore needful that there be a code of practice and conduct in their care by the gerontological nurses. The ICN code of ethics for example requires nurses be guided by four principles which are included in four elements namely; nurses and people which requires that during practice, the nurses to respect and consider the individual’s religious beliefs, family and community. In addition, the patient should ensure that the individual is furnished with information that would guide him in deciding on the care to receive, refusal or acceptance. Nurses and people; nurses are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflect the profession and does not lead to poor public confidence In addition, the nurse should have personal responsibility and accountability during practice, and ensure that usage of technology and material does not violate any person. Nurses and the profession; the nurse is bestowed upon the mandate to find out and implement the acceptable standards of clinical practice, and contributes in developing of working conditions that are equitable, safe, economical and socially sound. Nurses and core-workers; the nurse should collaborate with other professionals, protect and safeguard all people in the face of any danger (The ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses, 2006).
GNP/APNPs perform an important part in educating during care both long-term and short-term. This is achieved through performing their nursing roles in the community. In long-term care, they are expected to furnish the individual with the information that will help them choose or reject the care and the accompanying treatments. They are expected to furnish the patient with adequate information about the correct usage of drugs and practice what is required of them. This must require that the nurses be qualified and certified to be able to act professionally, and that it would be possible for the regulation of the profession (AACN Position Statement, 1998). In addition, such professionals are expected to update the individuals together with their families with adequate relevant information about the care, or the part they would play in helping the individual. The nurses would also be expected to provide the updates of the aforementioned information. The nurses would be expected to develop a framework for disseminating their services together with the individual or the family, and thus it would be appropriate for them to make sure that best alternatives for care and treatment are chosen, since the family or individual may not be well versed. The nurse practitioner is expected to link the hospital and the individual as concerning care and the progress since an individual nurse may be assigned specific duties.
In planning the discharge for the older adults, the practitioners need know the individuals situation in terms of the illness, treatment accompanying the care and treatment position. This is to determine the requirements of the patient or aged after discharge. In consideration of the fact that long-term illnesses may re-occur, practitioners need access the possibility that this is taken care of. In addition, it would be necessary to determine the ability for progression of care in the next stage after discharge. The opinion of the individual should also be put into consideration in developing the discharge plan. The practitioners would require accessing the current needs, determining the appropriate course of action or make appropriate recommendations for future appropriate care which would be necessary to device the discharge plan.
Development of the standards for practice may be necessary to define the uniqueness and scope of the practice, and for purposes of evaluation of the practice, for example in the Canadian case. The nurses may be required to participate in a survey to this development such as the members of Canadian Gerontological Nursing Association. Other means may include conferencing, contributions through writing and workshop or other types of discussions. A Standards Taskforce which made recommendations to development of the standards was formulated for the aforementioned case, the latter produced a draft for the standards, which was later developed. Protocols would be developed in consideration of the environment involved while the patient is interacting with the gerontological practitioner. Such environments include risk of the older person, morbidity, their normalcy, or crisis. The interaction may also be influenced by cultural settings, politics, and social settings. These protocols would involve; developing assessments; planning with considerations of options, strategies and interventions; agreed interventions and; evaluation of the interventions (GGNA, 1996). Practitioners may also be involved in partnership with organizations such as Evercare which may expand the scope of the gerontological care and experience. (University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Penn State, 2006)
In the interdisciplinary health committees, the practitioner performs screening assessment and passes information about the health to the locals. These interdisciplinary health committees may be geared towards carrying out research. The practitioner as a member will be required to manage health conditions in addition to conducting, supervising and interpreting the studies on diagnosis and this management. They are also involved in teaching and counseling and prescribing therapies (ECFMG, 2008).
References
AACN Position Statement. Certification and Regulation of Advanced Practice Nurse. 1998. Web.
Certification Tool Kit. A Guide to Promoting Gerontological Nursing Certification in a Health System. Web.
CGNA. Standards of Practice: Canadian Gerontological Nursing Association. 1996. Web.
ECFMG. Interdisciplinary Health Care Team. 2008. Web.
The ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses. 2006. Web.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Penn State Team Up at AACN’s 2006 Master’s Conference to Share Lessons Learned/Knowledge Gleaned. Web.