One would probably agree that nursing is one of the main professions that require trust from its clients. Indeed, precisely nurses are in close contact with patients and their families, so it is necessary that their every action is consistent with professional accountability. As cited in Davis (2017), professional responsibility is defined by the American Nursing Association’s Code of Ethics as being “answerable to oneself and others for one’s own actions” (p. 4). Overall, a nurse needs to demonstrate professional accountability in clinical expertise, the nursing process, and evidence-based practice.
To explain the previous statement, it is essential to provide several examples. First of all, every nurse has to take a responsible approach to acquire the necessary skills, education, and experience. Such a nurse will never overestimate their abilities in order not to worsen a patient’s condition or the general situation in the hospital. Further, when it comes to the nursing process, an example of a nurse demonstrating professional accountability will be the proper usage of equipment, adequate documentation of the information related to treatment, and the correct administration of medications.
Finally, the evidence-based practice also requires nurses to be professionally accountable. As stated by Davis (2017), this refers to the consistent implementation of “gold standard evidence-based practice findings,” as well as credible and up-to-date resources to guide their nursing care and interventions (p. 4). A professionally responsible nurse will never use a method that is not evidence-based or otherwise proved to be ineffective because such an intervention can harm a patient.
To draw a conclusion, one may say that professional accountability is indeed an integral part of nursing. Since patients trust nurses with their lives and health, it is of vital importance that these healthcare professionals perceive their duties responsibly and refer to evidence-based practice during decision-making. This is the best way to improve healthcare and reduce the rates of medical errors. What is more, the professional accountability of nurses improves the general outcomes and allows them to be more involved in the treatment process.
Reference
Davis, C. (2017). The importance of professional accountability. Nursing Made Incredibly Easy, 15(6), 4. Web.