Reflecting On Your Journey Since Graduating From Your Origin

Reflecting On Your Journey Since Graduating From Your Original Nursing

Reflecting on your journey since graduating from your original nursing program, consider how nursing has evolved over time. Additionally, contemplate whether nursing today aligns with your initial expectations upon entering nursing education. In your response, also address the ethical considerations inherent in immigration, migration, and their intersection with healthcare. How do these considerations contribute to the complexities of nursing practice and influence the delivery of patient-centered care in diverse healthcare settings? Instructions *Be sure you have first submitted your initial discussion post to this module’s “Initial Post Screening†before proceeding to post to the discussion board. Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. Sources should be current (published within last five years).

Paper For Above instruction

Since graduating from my initial nursing program, I have experienced a significant evolution both personally and professionally, reflecting broader changes within the nursing profession itself. Nursing has transformed considerably driven by advancements in technology, shifts in healthcare policy, and the growing recognition of holistic, patient-centered approaches. When I first entered nursing school, I envisioned a profession focused primarily on direct patient care, with less consideration of the systemic and ethical complexities that naturally accompany healthcare delivery. Today, I find that nursing encompasses a broader scope that integrates technological proficiency, cultural competence, and ethical decision-making, aligning with the more comprehensive understanding of health and wellness.

One of the most notable changes in nursing practice over the years is the integration of electronic health records (EHRs), which has streamlined documentation and communication yet also introduced new challenges in maintaining patient privacy and data security (Kellogg et al., 2019). Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of adaptability, resilience, and innovation in nursing roles. Nurses now often assume leadership positions in public health initiatives, integrating technological tools and evidence-based practices to combat health crises effectively (Neville et al., 2021). This shift toward a more dynamic, tech-enabled practice reflects the profession’s responsiveness to societal needs and underscores the importance of lifelong learning.

Equally important are the ethical considerations related to immigration and migration, which complexify nursing practice. As populations become more diverse due to global migration, nurses encounter various cultural beliefs, language barriers, and differing health practices that influence patient care (Renzaho et al., 2020). Ethical challenges arise around issues such as health equity, informed consent, and respecting cultural traditions while ensuring optimal health outcomes. For example, limited English proficiency or mistrust of healthcare systems among immigrant populations can hinder communication, resulting in disparities in care and health outcomes. As a result, nurses must develop cultural competence and advocate for equitable access to healthcare services, which is fundamental to delivering patient-centered care in multicultural settings (Purnell, 2020).

These ethical considerations also extend to the broader context of migration, where nurses might encounter issues such as undocumented immigrants seeking care without legal status or the ethical dilemma of resource allocation during health crises. These scenarios require nurses to balance their professional responsibility to provide care with legal and ethical frameworks, often involving complex decision-making processes that prioritize patient dignity, autonomy, and justice (Mikkelsen et al., 2021). Such challenges deepen the complexity of nursing practice, compelling nurses to navigate personal values, institutional policies, and societal expectations.

In conclusion, the evolution of nursing since my graduation reflects ongoing advancements that enhance patient care but also introduce new ethical and practical complexities. The increasing diversity of patient populations, driven by migration, demands a culturally competent and ethically conscious nursing workforce. As healthcare continues to evolve, nurses must remain adaptable, embracing lifelong learning to meet diverse needs ethically and effectively. Ultimately, this dynamic landscape enriches nursing practice, emphasizing the importance of ethical vigilance, cultural humility, and professional resilience in delivering patient-centered care in today’s diverse healthcare environments.

References

• Kellogg, M., Coen, J., Mackey, S., & Plescia, M. (2019). Electronic health records and patient safety: A review of the literature. Journal of Nursing Management, 27(4), 768-776.
• Neville, S., Burrows, S., & Swann, J. (2021). COVID-19 and nursing resilience: Implications for practice. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 27(3), e12889.
• Renzaho, A. M. N., George, P. P., & Harris, R. (2020). Cultural competence in healthcare: Review. Journal of Migration and Health, 1(1), 1-12.
• Purnell, L. (2020). Transcultural health care: A culturally competent approach. F. A. Davis Company.
• Mikkelsen, S., Alekseyeva, A., & Sigurdardottir, A. (2021). Ethical dilemmas in nursing migration. Nursing Ethics, 28(4), 555-563.