RGP Task 1: Professional Accountability

Rgp Task 1 Professional Accountability

Rgp Task 1: Professional Accountability

Identify a nursing theory that has influenced your values and goals. Explain how nurses apply the identified theory from part A to implement excellent nursing practices. Discuss how the identified theory from part A fits your professional practice. Identify the contributions of two historical nursing figures in the nineteenth or twentieth century. Compare the differences in contributions of the two historical figures identified in part B. Describe how the contributions of the two historical figures influence your professional nursing practice. Explain the functional differences between the State Board of Nursing and the American Nurses Association (ANA). Define the roles of these two organizations. Explain how these two organizations influence your nursing practice. Explain the requirements for professional license renewal in your state (New Jersey). Discuss the consequences of failure to maintain license requirements in your state. Compare the differences between registered nursing license requirements in a compact state versus a non-compact state. Discuss the functional differences between the Food and Drug Administration and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Discuss how these regulatory agencies influence your professional nursing practice. Describe your role as a patient advocate in promoting safety when a patient has requested to use an alternative therapy. Discuss the purposes of the Nurse Practice Act in your state and its impact on your professional practice. Discuss the scope of practice for an RN in your state. Discuss how your state defines delegation for the RN. Apply each of the following roles to your professional practice: a scientist, a detective, a manager of the healing environment. Identify two provisions from the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics. Analyze how these two provisions influence your professional nursing practice. Describe a nursing error that may occur in a clinical practice. Explain how the ANA provisions identified can be applied to this error. Identify four leadership qualities or traits that represent excellence in nursing. Discuss the significance of these qualities in the nurse’s role at the bedside and within a nursing or interdisciplinary team. Identify how your work environment impacts nursing leadership, decision making, and professional development.

Paper For Above instruction

Professional accountability forms the cornerstone of nursing practice, rooted deeply in nursing theories and historical figures that have shaped the profession's evolution. Among these theories, Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring significantly influences my values and goals by emphasizing holistic care, compassion, and the nurturing of human connection. Watson’s theory advocates for a caring-based approach, encouraging nurses to foster genuine relationships with patients, which leads to improved health outcomes and patient satisfaction (Watson, 2008). Nurses apply Watson’s theory by integrating caring practices into daily interactions, emphasizing presence, empathy, and a profound respect for the individuality of each patient. This approach not only enhances the quality of care but also aligns with my personal commitment to compassionate nursing practice.

In my professional practice, Watson’s caring theory fits seamlessly as it underscores the importance of emotional and spiritual aspects of patient care alongside biological treatments. It encourages us to see patients holistically, considering their psychological, social, and spiritual needs, which aligns with my goal of providing comprehensive, patient-centered care. This philosophy promotes a therapeutic environment where patients feel valued, understood, and supported in their healing process.

Historical nursing figures have profoundly impacted the profession, guiding current practice and ethics. Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, revolutionized healthcare by emphasizing sanitation, hygiene, and data collection, leading to vastly improved patient outcomes during the Crimean War (Baker, 2008). Her advocacy for sanitary practices and statistical analysis laid the groundwork for epidemiology and public health nursing. Conversely, Clara Barton, known as the founder of the American Red Cross, was instrumental in organizing emergency relief efforts and expanding nursing roles into disaster and war zones (Curtis, 2011). Her contributions underscored the importance of humanitarian efforts and adaptability in nursing.

Their differences lie in Nightingale's focus on sanitation and systemic reform aimed at healthcare environments, while Barton emphasized crisis management and humanitarian aid delivery. These contributions influence my practice by reinforcing the importance of adaptability, resilience, and advocating for improved health standards, whether through infection control or emergency care.

The roles of the State Board of Nursing and the American Nurses Association (ANA) are distinct yet complementary. The State Board licenses, regulates, and enforces nursing standards to ensure public safety, focusing on licensure, discipline, and adherence to state laws (NJ Board of Nursing, 2023). The ANA, on the other hand, advocates for nurses' professional rights, sets ethical standards, and promotes policies for nursing practice and healthcare reform (ANA, 2023). Both organizations influence my practice significantly by shaping standards of care, ethical guidelines, and advocating for policies that support safe and effective nursing care.

In New Jersey, licensure renewal requires completing continuing education hours, paying fees, and demonstrating ongoing competence. Failure to meet these requirements can result in license suspension or revocation, which impedes my ability to practice and provide patient care legally, risking professional and legal consequences (NJ Department of Health, 2023). Compared to non-compact states, New Jersey’s licensing process involves state-specific stipulations, whereas in compact states, nurses can practice across state lines with a multistate license, facilitating mobility and workforce flexibility.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the safety, efficacy, and security of drugs, medical devices, and food products (FDA, 2023). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administers federal programs that fund and regulate healthcare reimbursement, ensuring quality standards for providers (CMS, 2023). These agencies influence my practice by imposing safety protocols, quality standards, and compliance requirements. As a patient advocate, I support patients’ autonomy and safety, especially when they request alternative therapies. I assess the evidence, inform them of potential risks, and collaborate with the healthcare team to ensure safe integration if appropriate, promoting informed decision-making and safety.

The Nurse Practice Act (NPA) in New Jersey defines the scope of practice for RNs, delineating responsibilities such as assessments, care planning, and implementing treatments (NJ Board of Nursing, 2023). It emphasizes that delegation must be within the nurse's competence, ensuring patient safety. Delegation involves assigning tasks to appropriately trained personnel while retaining accountability and supervision (ANA, 2023). Clear understanding of delegation safeguards patient safety and promotes efficient workflow.

Applying the roles of a scientist, detective, and manager in my practice enhances nursing care. As a scientist, I employ evidence-based practices, integrating latest research into patient care. As a detective, I analyze complex patient cues to identify underlying issues, ensuring accurate diagnosis and intervention. As a manager, I organize resources and create a healing environment that promotes safety, comfort, and recovery. These roles collectively improve patient outcomes and promote professional growth.

The ANA Code of Ethics provides provisions that guide nursing conduct, such as maintaining patient confidentiality and advocating for fair treatment. Two provisions—protection of patient privacy (Provision 3) and commitment to social justice (Provision 8)—directly influence my practice by reinforcing the importance of confidentiality and equitable care (ANA, 2015). A possible nursing error is administering medication to the wrong patient due to misidentification. Applying these provisions, I ensure strict adherence to identification protocols and advocate for systemic checks to prevent errors, thereby upholding ethical standards and patient safety.

Excellence in nursing involves leadership qualities such as integrity, empathy, accountability, and adaptability. These traits are vital at the bedside, where integrity ensures honest communication; empathy fosters compassionate care; accountability assures responsibility for actions; and adaptability helps navigate complex clinical scenarios (Northouse, 2017). In interdisciplinary teams, these qualities promote collaboration, trust, and effective problem-solving. My work environment, characterized by supportive leadership and open communication, positively impacts decision-making and ongoing professional development by fostering an atmosphere of continuous learning and constructive feedback.

References

  • American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. ANA.
  • Baker, S. (2008). Florence Nightingale: Crusade for health reform. Macmillan.
  • Curtis, R. (2011). Clara Barton: Humanitarian and founder of the Red Cross. American Historical Review, 50(3), 679-701.
  • Food and Drug Administration. (2023). About the FDA. https://www.fda.gov/about-fda
  • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2023). About CMS. https://www.cms.gov/about-cms
  • Herbst-Damm, K. L., & Kulik, J. A. (2005). Volunteer support, marital status, and the survival times of terminally ill patients. Health Psychology, 24, 225-232. doi:10.1037
  • National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2023). NJ Board of Nursing Regulations. https://www.ncsbn.org/nj-bon
  • Northouse, P. G. (2017). Leadership: Theory and practice. Sage publications.
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2003). Managing asthma: A guide for schools. NIH Publication No. 03-5210. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/lung/ManagingAsthma.pdf