Class: Professional Nursing
Topic: Issues In the Profession Of Nursing Today Date: 11/28/12
The American Nurses Association describes nursing as “…the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations (ANA, 2012). Like other health professions, the nursing field is subjected to issues of concern that need to be deliberated upon. In the book Professional Issues in Nursing, Huston (2010) mentions and describes critical issues affecting the nursing workforce. Examples of such important issues mentioned are: nursing education, nursing shortage, importation of foreign nurses, violence in nursing, socializing and mentoring, medical errors etc. Nursing shortage, nursing education and cultural competence in nursing will be discussed for this paper.
The “nursing practice covers a broad continuum from health promotion, to disease prevention; to coordination of care, to cure when possible and to palliative care when cure is not possible” (IOM report, p.4). In the past and in current times, organizations such as the Robert Wood Foundation in partnership with the Institute of Medicine (IOM) have worked tirelessly to transform the nursing profession into that of a well-respected and recognized profession that will meet the challenges arising in the profession. This they execute mainly, by allowing nurses to be more responsible through quality improvement, simulations, evidence based practice, furthering education, taking leadership positions as well as partnering with other health care personnel. Other organizations such as the American Nurses Association (ANA), American Association ofColleges of Nursing (AACN), and the National League for Nursing (NLN), contribute to the advancement of the nursing profession.
Education and nursing education for that matter is essential to the profession of nursing; not only as a means to gain the title of a registered nurse, but rather as a continuous learning process so as to be well equipped for the more complicated roles. In regards to education, nursing has one of the most confusing definitions as well as qualifications; “nursing is unique among the health professions in the United States in that it has multiple educational pathways leading to an entry-level license to practice” (IOM report, p. 6). A person may be considered a nurse upon completion of a diploma program, a license professional program, a two year associate degree, or a four year baccalaureate degree. Unlike other health professions that have set requirements to fulfill their profession, nursing currently struggles with bringing the requirements that of a universal one. In quest to transform the nursing education, the Robert Wood Foundation and the Institute of Nursing drafted a plan for nurses. According to one of the key messages on education, nurses are required to “… achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression” (IOM report, p. 4). Unlike the diploma and associate degree curriculums that focus mainly on the technical aspect of nursing, a baccalaureate degree program in addition to the practical aspect focuses on social sciences, research, community, and leadership training.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has maintained its position that the BSN degree should be the minimum educational requirement for professional nursing practice. According to a report involving the ADN program, the AACN stated that its “support for the BSN does not mean that [they] seek to bar ADN graduates from practicing nursing to the full extent of their skills and abilities” (AACN, 2003).
Cultural competence is also among the important issues of the nursing career today. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines culture as “the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group”. Purnell defined cultural competence as “the adaptation of care in a manner that is consistent with the culture of the patient” (2002). Although many writers and leaders analyzed cultural competence, “….Leininger is the only leader who has developed, implemented, and evaluated a theory, the Theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality, and a research method, ethnonursing, to facilitate the study phenomena of interest in transcultural nursing” (Andrews, 2008). She described cultural competence as “…having the ability to understand cultural differences in order to provide quality care to a diversity of people” (Leininger, 2002).The United States boasts of a pool of cultural diversity. In fact, the U.S Bureau of Census estimated a 24.4% increase in other races and a 32% increase in two or more races between the year 2000 and 2010. This increase is bound to double by the year 2020. Due to this fact, the health system and especially nurses are exposed to a wide variety of cultures. To better serve this diversity, some nursing schools have found it imperative to add transcultural nursing class to their curriculum to further alert students to the importance of cultural competence in their daily practice. Personal knowing is one of Carpers ways of knowing that involves an individual being aware of his or her feelings; in other words, “a culturally competent nurse develops an awareness of his or her existence, sensations, thoughts, and environment without letting these factors have an undue effect on those receiving care” (Buschemi, 2011). By addressing culture issues, Wells (2000), suggested that one of the ways to increase nurses who are culturally competent must begin with nursing education. Furthermore, accrediting bodies such as the Joint Commission have addressed issues related to culture while treating pain. Thus, “having knowledge of [a] patient’s cultural perspective enables the nurse to provide more effective and appropriate care” (Maier-Lorentz, 2008).
Although many issues seem to be arising in the field of nursing, education, nursing shortage, and cultural competence are issues that I believe are very important to the future and advancement of the nursing profession. It is the duty of policy makers, institutions such as the Institute of medicine, nursing associations, and organizations to continue advocating these issues and others to achieve optimal levels of care for the patients. Nursing education will act as an umbrella subsequently solving problems of nursing shortage and cultural incompetence. Through educational courses such as trans-cultural nursing, community and leadership, students will appreciate the holistic aspect of nursing but not only as it appears at the moment.
Professional Nursing
Assignment # 4 Nursing Philosophy Oct. 24/12
According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, one of the definitions of philosophy is: the most basic beliefs, concepts, and attitudes of an individual or group. In other words, it is a set of principles of life; a form of guidance for our daily lives. Every discipline as well as profession has its own philosophy and doctrine concerning its practice. The profession of nursing is defined as “diagnosing and treating of human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services as case finding, health teaching, health counseling, and provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being…” Thus, in order to execute this essential responsibility, a nurse ought to have personal philosophies to work with. As individuals, we are guided by values, rules, and norms that gear us towards a stable life. My definition and understanding of philosophy therefore is that, it involves a set of conducts and rules that guide us through life.
The whole act of nursing I believe is very important, because unlike what many think we do including just giving shots, administering medication etc… nursing is a serious profession and discipline that requires critical thinking skills and education. Having that knowledge on how to assess and provide care in the acute or long term setting, but also in the community and home. Nursing provides hope, establishes that trusting relationship and helps the human being build on his/her faith and belief. It is true that nursing involves holistic caring. Clients or patients are not attended to only according to their reason for being seen; rather a holistic approach is exercised with them. I agree with Watson’s belief that, “holistic health care is central to the practice of caring in nursing.” http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/Watson.html As defined earlier, nursing involves the diagnosing and treatment of human responses to problems. Hence, emphasis is laid on the emotions, sentiments, and wellbeing of the client. This I believe is what makes nursing beautiful and differentiates the work of other health field workers from that of nurses. Vance (2011) also describes the practice as not just a mere job but “a profession, discipline, and a career”.
The American Nurses Association is one of the major contributors to the philosophies of nursing. The Code of Ethics, Scope and Standards of nursing are two major guidelines that bind the nursing profession. Nurses are expected to know their own rights as well as that of their clients whenever possible. Barbara Carper’s ways of knowing include: Aesthetics, ethics, empiric, and personal knowing. She described the understanding of these patterns of knowing as “essential for the teaching and learning of nursing”.
Carpers Ways of Knowing list ethics: one of its fundamental components. According to Marquis & Huston (2011), “ethics is the systematic study of what a person’s conduct and actions should be with regard to self, other humans and the environment”. Sometimes used interchangeably with morals, ethics is a strict guidance of my actions. When the rights of others are regarded or considered it provides a sense of belonging with initiates trust and rapport. Some ethical values I practice include: confidentiality, safety, and quality improvement. I believe all of them are pertinent to nursing. As such I consider theories of nursing pioneers such as: Florence Nightingale, Barbara Carper, Lillian Wald and Jean Watson.
I also have values and beliefs in beneficence, and empathy. Empathy is a major part of my being because I believe that the most important way if not the only way, to ascertain how a client is feeling, is to be able to situate yourself in their position. Not as though you would feel pity for them but rather put yourself in their place and imagine the pain they may be experiencing. The most important aspect of my philosophy is critical thinking (education), empathy, therapeutic communication and building a patient client trusting relationship. Watson describes communication as the “strongest tool” used in establishing rapport and caring. It involves “verbal, nonverbal and listening in a manner connotes empathetic understanding”. http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/Watson.html As a nurse, the way and manner in which a client is approached alone will determine how much information that person will be willing to give up. Thus, the philosophy of nursing essentially correlates with client outcome and satisfaction.
Nursing is a passion. Everyone one can be a nurse, but not everyone has the pas
