Criteria Defining Nursing as a Professional Practice
The critical thinking approach should be directly integrated into the nursing process, which is used to show effective nursing care, as described in the Standards of Practice. Screening, prognosis, outcome determination, planning, execution, and evaluation are all parts of this process (American Nursing Association, 2015). As a result, the nursing practice covers essential steps by nurse practitioners and serves as the basis for their decision-making.
Demonstrating Accountability in Professional Nursing Roles
Then, to demonstrate accountability, a nurse must stay within their area of expertise. The nurse’s scope of practice is to protect patients’ perceptions while maximizing patient health outcomes. Patients, colleagues, healthcare institutions, and society are at risk when caregivers practice outside their duties (Faubion, n.d).
One of the finest ways to show responsibility in nursing is to operate within the scope of practice. Moreover, nurses can observe the rules and guidelines set out by their employers. Nurses show their employers they are responsible by adhering to standards and procedures. Nurses must comprehend that the legal restrictions on nursing practice outlined in the Nursing Practice Act are not intended to be replaced by rules and procedures. Any nurse concerned about the legality, propriety, or scope of a policy or process should double-check any institution regulations they think are violating the Nursing Practice Act.
The Role of Politics in Shaping Nursing Practice
Any nurse may influence municipal, regional, and federal politics and policy. Nurses may become politically involved locally by taking on leadership roles within the medical system or speaking with elected authorities about laws impacting the sector. By forming a professional nursing association, nurses may participate in politics and policy at the national and state levels. Regarding healthcare policies, nurses may also write to their state lawmakers.
Power and Image: Key Influences in Nursing Leadership
Research reveals that gender roles, caring and cultural norms, media portrayals, and behavior impact nurses’ professional image. In conjunction, these factors form a nurse’s positive or negative power, which is directly related to patient outcomes. Realizing ways of improvement is essential to enhancing relations with colleagues and clients.
References
American Nursing Association. (2015). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice (3rd ed.). Nursing World. Web.
Faubion, D. (n.d.). 10 Ways to demonstrate accountability in nursing practice. Nursing Progress. Web.