Introduction
Healthcare standards and competencies navigate the work and approaches of nurses, instructing them on the appropriate measures and methods to communicate with patients, and peers and provide health. The given course gave me insights into the importance of incorporating a holistic approach to healthcare and providing quality care in all possible ways. In this sense, AACN Essentials Domain and NONPF Independent Practice Competency helped me apply cultural diversity concepts and nursing science in healthcare.
Discussion
When it comes to the AACN Essentials Domain 1, one of the competencies that helped me in my practice is 1.1f. The competency is as follows: “1.1f Demonstrate the application of nursing science to practice” (National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, 2022, p.1). Such an element contributed immensely to my practice and holistic nursing approach since it accentuates how healthcare must be based on the importance of nursing science in general public well-being (International Council of Nurses, n.d.). For example, when a 24-year-old female was admitted to the hospital with psychosis, it was vital to provide her with the required therapy. The first step was to provide a calm environment and active listening. Then, I ensured that there was trust between me and the patient, which allowed me to inquire about medication use. After learning that the patient quit using her medication, which ultimately led to hallucinations, my goal was to promote health and advocate for the prevention of psychosis episodes by using medication and trying alternative therapy approaches.
In another situation, my goal was to ensure a safe environment for a disabled 60-year-old female who had decubitus ulcer, also known as pressure sore, from not being active and lying in bed in one position. My actions involved moving the patient and checking and treating the ulcer. In this sense, as an advocate of health for patients, I learned to apply crucial competencies to ensure that patients receive quality healthcare to their needs.
As for the NONPF Independent Practice Competency, one helped me learn more culturally-aware approaches to the patients. The competency is as follows: “Provides patient-centered care recognizing cultural diversity and the patient or designee as a full partner in decision-making” (National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, 2017, p. 13). One of the examples involves a 78-year-old Chinese male who had been recently diagnosed with diabetes. As a nurse professional, it was my responsibility to educate the patient on the potential consequences and harms he could face if he continued his lifestyle. For example, in Chinese culture, the man was used to walking barefoot. However, this could expose him to potential scarring of the tissue, which might lead to gangrene. Additionally, the patient’s nutrition had to be limited due to the sugar that it contained. For instance, the man was used to eating rice, which is prohibited for those who are diagnosed with diabetes.
In another situation, a 56-year-old Mexican female was hospitalized with a stroke. During her stay at the hospital, I instructed her to follow a specific diet that was low in cholesterol. During our conversation, the woman admitted that in her culture, they are used to eating spicy and oily foods. I educated her on how high cholesterol levels affect the cardiovascular system and that foods rich in fat can cause another stroke. In this sense, the aforementioned competency helped me provide healthcare in terms of cultural diversity while additionally educating patients.
Conclusion
Hence, I was able to use the notion of cultural diversity and nursing science in healthcare with the support of the AACN Essentials Domain and NONPF Independent Practice Competency. One of the competencies in the AACN Essentials Domain 1 that I found useful in my work is 1.1f. As a patient health advocate, I have learned to put essential skills to use to make sure that patients get the high-quality treatment they need. Regarding the NONPF Independent Practice Competency, it taught me how to approach patients in a more culturally-aware manner.
References
International Council of Nurses. Nursing Definitions. ICN, n.d.
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. (2017). Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies Content.
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. (2022).AACN Essentials Advanced-Level Nursing Education Domain 1.