Professional Roles In Nursing Practice

Professional Roles and Values Task 1 QUP1 A nursing practice is guided by both regulatory agencies and professional nursing organizations which differ in their focus. A regulatory agency oversees the integrity of the nursing practice. One example, the state boards of nursing, ensure the public’s health and welfare by assuring that competent nursing care is provided by knowledgeable and licensed professionals. These agencies collaborate through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. The National Council monitors nursing licenses in order to comply with state laws, and outlines the safety standards for each state (National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 2017). On the state level each board of nursing maintains the integrity of the nursing practice by enforcing the Nurse Practice Act and licensure requirements, approving nursing education programs, and developing nursing practice standards and regulations (National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 2017). While regulatory agencies dictate, whom is qualified and maintain rules and standards to protect the public, the professional nursing organizations advocate for nursing practice. Some roles of professional organizations are to promote further education, champion rights in the workplace, and lobby on healthcare issues that affect both nurses and the public (ANA, 2015). For example, the ANA has proposed a bill, H.R. 2392: Nursing Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2017, to congress. This bill is to amend the public health service act to establish direct care registered nurses to patient staffing ration requirements in hospitals, and for other purposes ( H.R. 2392, 2017). This means that there would be mandated minimum nurse to patient staffing ratios, that would improve the quality of care as well as putting patients safety first (H.R. 2392, 2017). Although the two do go hand in hand, regulatory agencies focus on protecting the public, while professional nursing organizations promote quality of nursing practice. The presence of both helps guide my core standards of practice, as well as providing group support for my professional growth. The American Nurses Association, an example of a professional nursing organization, represents the interests of all the nurses in America. This is done by fostering a higher standard for nursing practice, promoting a safe and ethical work environment, bolstering the health and wellness of nurses, and advocating on healthcare issues that affect both the public and nurses (ANA, 2015). A prime example of this is their Code of Ethics, which offers standards nurses should strive to maintain. These provisions offer different interpretations of how a nurse should conduct themselves within the workplace to protect both the nurse and the patients. One example is, provision three which states: “The nurse promotes, advocates for, and strives to protect the health, safety, and rights of the patient” (ANA, 2015). One way to advocate for patients is by ensuring they are educated and have the knowledge to manage their healthcare effectively. I currently work in an inner-city hospital as an emergency room nurse. Many patients come in with severe injuries and diagnoses, but with little knowledge about managing such things. This provision has a strong influence on my practice. For instance, if I ensure that my patients understand their treatment and care, it is less likely that they will return to the emergency room. As a consequence, my patients may benefit in the future by learning preventive measures and positive lifestyle changes. Another provision with a strong influence on my professional nursing practice is provision eight: “The nurse collaborates with other health professionals and the public to protect human rights, promote health diplomacy, and …show more content…
Successful nursing requires a great degree of beneficence more so then any other profession. Beneficence is at the core of our nursing code of ethics. I apply beneficence in all decisions that influence my patients care. One example of beneficence is, ensuring that I deliver pain medication expeditiously to a patient suffering with pain. Another example of beneficence, in which, I encounter on a daily basis would be resuscitating a patient that comes in as a cardiac arrest. Confirming the patient does not have a no resuscitate order, I effortlessly provide the latest treatment and protocols, doing everything I can do to try and save the patients life. I strive everyday to the best of my ability to do what is best for my