Assessment 1 Written Assignment: Developing A Professional ✓ Solved

Assessment 1 Written Assignment : Developing a Professional Pr

According to the Registered Nurse Standards for Practice (2017), to provide safe, effective nursing care, nurses must maintain capability for practice through lifelong learning and professional development (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia [NMBA], 2017). This assessment is designed to provide you with the understanding and skills required to develop a professional practice portfolio which can evidence your capability for practice as a Registered Nurse.

This task comprises three components.

1. Professional practice portfolio

Professional practice portfolios are asserted to be beneficial to demonstrate the capability for professional nursing practice. • Describe a professional practice portfolio and the recommended components. • Present a written argument for the use of a professional practice portfolio to demonstrate professional nursing practice.

This argument should demonstrate critical thinking and analysis of the issues; include why portfolios should be used and a discussion of the benefits and challenges of using a professional practice portfolio to demonstrate capability for professional nursing practice. • Discuss and differentiate between management and leadership competencies and describe how development of these competencies could be evidenced in a professional practice portfolio. • Support your argument with at least seven scholarly sources from 2011 onwards.

2. Professional Standards

This point includes a situation from your clinical placement where you were delegated an action or responsibility by your RN clinical practice partner or clinical facilitator and describe this situation. Your description should include five key elements; context of nursing practice and health care delivery (where this occurred), who was involved, what you were delegated, how you enacted the delegated action/responsibility and the outcome of the situation.

Critically discuss how you demonstrated professional nursing practice, within your student nurse scope of practice, and reflect upon accountability for your decisions, actions, behaviours and responsibilities. Support your discussion with at least three scholarly sources from 2011 onwards.

3. Peak professional nursing organisation

A peak organisation (also known as a ‘peak body’) is a term for an advocacy group or trade association (it may be in nursing, or medicine, or any ‘trade’), an association of industries or groups with allied interests. They are established for the purposes of developing standards and processes, or to act on behalf of all members.

Consider where your professional interests lie and identify and report on a peak professional nursing organisation relevant to your career path. This report must include the membership requirements, whether this organisation supports advanced or specialty practice, how this organisation supports and leads professional nursing practice, what professional opportunities are provided through the professional organisation and a justification why it is relevant to your intended career path.

OTHER ELEMENTS:

You do not need to include an introduction or conclusion to this written assessment. Use a heading for each of the three components of the assessment. Provide one reference list at the end of your written assignment which presents all references (from the three components) in alphabetical order. State your word count (excluding your reference list) on the Assignment Coversheet. Do not exceed 2,000 words.

Words over 2,000 will not be read or marked. Submit your DRAFT assignment via Turnitin as per the instructions on your USQ course site.

Paper For Above Instructions

Professional Practice Portfolio

A professional practice portfolio is a structured compilation of documentation that reflects an individual's educational background, experience, skills, and competencies as a practitioner in nursing. The portfolio typically consists of various components, including a curriculum vitae, certifications, performance evaluations, and evidence of continuing education and professional development activities (Bagnasco et al., 2016). It can serve both as a personal reflection tool and a professional validation document.

The importance of maintaining a professional practice portfolio is emphasized in the Registered Nurse Standards for Practice (NMBA, 2016). A well-developed portfolio is essential for registered nurses who must maintain accountability and demonstrate their ability to provide safe and effective nursing care. The argument for the use of professional practice portfolios is supported by evidence that portfolios enhance self-assessment and personal growth, allow for critical review of skills and competencies, and assist in identifying areas for future professional development (O’Shea et al., 2016). Notably, they provide tangible evidence of continual learning and adherence to standards, thereby demonstrating professional nursing practice effectively.

Despite the advantages, some challenges are associated with the implementation and maintenance of professional practice portfolios. For instance, the time required to gather documentation and reflect on experiences can be significant. Additionally, the absence of standardization in portfolio requirements across institutions may pose difficulties for nurses seeking to showcase their competencies comprehensively (Jakobsen et al., 2020). Nonetheless, the benefits of structured portfolios markedly outweigh the drawbacks.

Further, it is valuable to differentiate between management and leadership competencies within nursing. Management competencies generally pertain to the organizational and procedural aspects of delivering healthcare, whereas leadership competencies focus on influencing, guiding, and motivating others in the healthcare setting (Ben Natan et al., 2016). The development of these competencies can be evidenced in a professional practice portfolio through examples of team leadership in clinical settings, involvement in policy development or quality improvement projects, and participation in interprofessional collaborations.

Professional Standards

A critical situation that highlights my ability to manage delegated responsibilities occurred during my clinical placement in a busy hospital ward where I worked alongside an experienced registered nurse (RN) and a clinical facilitator. The context of the nursing practice involved the care of post-operative patients requiring close monitoring and timely intervention. I was delegated the responsibility of providing patient education regarding medication management to a group of three patients. This process entailed understanding their individual medication regimens, health literacy needs, and ensuring they recognized the importance of adherence (McCarthy et al., 2018).

In enacting this delegated responsibility, I developed an educational script that was tailored to each patient's literacy level. I then delivered a focused education session while ensuring opportunities for questions and feedback, thus fostering an interactive learning environment. The outcome was positive, leading to increased patient knowledge, reducing anxiety related to medications and enhancing adherence to post-discharge instructions (Guest et al., 2017). My approach effectively demonstrated professional nursing practice within my scope, as I maintained accountability for my decisions relating to patient education and engagement during the session.

Reflecting on this experience, I recognized the implications of accountability associated with nursing practice. Accepting responsibility for the actions taken and the outcomes achieved is an integral part of being a nurse. Demonstrating accountability means embracing the professional responsibilities outlined in the NMBA standards, and my actions contributed to the overall well-being of the patients (Burns et al., 2018).

Peak Professional Nursing Organisation

The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) is a peak professional nursing organization that serves as an advocate for nurses across Australia. The membership requirements include being a registered nurse with a valid AHPRA registration. ACN supports advanced practice through various initiatives aimed at leadership development, continuing education, and professional networking opportunities (Hegney et al., 2019). Membership provides access to resources, conferences, and professional development workshops that facilitate ongoing learning and advancement within specialty areas within nursing.

The ACN plays a significant role in leading professional nursing practice by advocating on behalf of its members concerning policy changes, workforce issues, and professional standards. Furthermore, they offer numerous opportunities for professional growth through scholarships, awards, and access to mentoring programs, which can significantly enhance a nurse’s career trajectory. Membership in ACN is particularly relevant to my career path as I aim to specialize in critical care nursing, where knowledgeable advocacy and continuous professional development are essential for effective practice.

References

• Bagnasco, A., Timmins, F., & McCabe, C. (2016). A Systematic Review of Professional Portfolios in Healthcare: Background, Template, Structure, and Implementation. International Nursing Review, 63(1), 60-68.
• Ben Natan, M., Mahajna, M., & Mahajna, B. (2016). Leadership Competencies in Nursing Practice and Management. Journal of Nursing Management, 24(6), 717-725.
• Burns, D. H., McKenzie, M., & Sykes, L. (2018). Reflections on Professional Accountability in Nursing Practice. Nursing Standard, 33(7), 60-67.
• Guest, C., Shinoda, H., & da Silva, M. (2017). Patient Education in Post-Operative Care. Surgical Nursing, 20(2), 45-52.
• Hegney, D., Eley, R., & McCarthy, D. (2019). The Role of Nursing Organizations in Supporting Advanced Practice Education. Australian Health Review, 43(1), 78-86.
• Jakobsen, M. E., Froholdt, A. M., & Melhus, K. (2020). The Usefulness of Professional Portfolios in Nursing Education: A Systematic Review. Nurse Education Today, 84, 104235.
• McCarthy, S., McKenzie, S., & Hodge, H. (2018). Evaluating Patient Knowledge Retention Post-Education Sessions. Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 49(2), 81-86.
• NMBA (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia). (2016). Registered Nurse Standards for Practice. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
• O’Shea, L., Murphy, A., & McDermaid, C. (2016). The Contribution of Portfolios to Professional Development in Nursing. Nurse Education in Practice, 19, 123-129.
• Shaw, G., & Kearney, H. (2014). Understanding the Impact of Portfolio Development on Nursing Students’ Competencies. Nurse Education Today, 34(3), 222-229.