One of the major issues related to safety in providing quality care is the staffing of nurses in a hospital. In most hospitals, the number of nurses is low due to budgetary issues. This has acted as a great challenge to nurses delivering high quality services. This is because it is difficult to handle patients according to the need of nursing care. This is one of the major issues raised during the interviews whereby most nurses expressed their grievances and recommendations. However, from the interviews carried out, it was evident that the nursing profession is made complex by the many regulatory bodies that are related to this profession. All in all, this essay reflects and summarizes on the issues raised and addressed during the interviews. Some issues have suggested workable solutions recommended by the nurses interviewed.
The relationship between; American Nurses Association Standards of Nursing Practice, the U.S. Code of Ethics for Nurses, the International Council of Nurses Code of Ethics for Nurses and the American Nurses Association Nursing Process clearly outlines the roles of nurses. The nurse has the major role which is to uphold solidarity with other nurses. In addition to this, a nurse should never compromise the nursing for selfless gain. The first priority of a nurse should always be the plight of the patients (Barker 2009, p.15).
A nurse measures and validates her expertise through engagement in quality care activities to improve on procedures of care, utilisation of quality care skills to propose changes in the nursing practice, constructive feedback in relation to his or her practice and showing accountability in maintaining competency in the nursing practice.
Regulatory agencies pose a great challenge towards the pursuit of a safe workplace and the quality of care offered to patients. Regulatory agencies impose a fixed appropriation on the use of hospital facilities and the proportion in which drugs are administered to patients (Barker 2009, p.16). In relation to this, regulatory agencies impose a harsh policy on those who do not pay hospital insurance fund. This is somehow unfair especially to the unfortunate members of the society who cannot afford to pay.
There are three chief roles of a nurse in an interdisciplinary team; facilitate the collective work, gathering comprehensive information with the aim of arriving at a consensus and taking responsibility of all the operations in the hospital.
The roles of a nurse in quality improvement activities are very diverse but can be narrowed down into four obligatory roles. First, in case of low staffing, a nurse should engage nursing at all levels from management to bed-side duties. Secondly, a nurse should engage in quality improvement activities. Thirdly, a nurse should engage in high level administrative burdens associated with quality activities. Lastly, a nurse should combat traditional nursing policies and cultures (Thompson 2001, p.20).
The major role of a nurse as a facilitator of patient centred care is showing it to the other nurses. A nurse should also have an interest of knowing the family background of patients for the purpose of strengthening moral connection.
The application of the Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory can be very effective in the improvement of the nursing practice. This theory advocates for; daily assessment of the patient’s conditions, identification of the patient’s needs and response to medicine, intense of the patient’s pain and recommendation of better medication in relation to the reaction of the patient’s body (Thompson 2001, p.30).
A registered nurse has administrative roles like assignment of specialized procedures by the doctor. The role of a clinical nurse leader is to oversee the care coordination of a group of patients who are mostly in a critical condition. A clinical nurse leader offers direct patient care in critical conditions. Mostly, advanced practice nurses evolve to doctoral level and their function includes midwifery and administration of advanced drugs. The major role of a clinical nurse specialist is to improve on efficiency and reduce the admission of emergency patients.
In conclusion, the nursing profession requires a lot of dedication and selflessness so as to deliver quality care to patients. It is vital to also take into account the issues that require improvement for the betterment of the nurses working environment and care towards patients.
References
Barker, A. M. (2009). Advanced practice nursing: essential knowledge for the profession. Sudbury, Mass.: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Thompson, I. E, & Melia, K. M. (2001). Nursing ethics (4th ed.). Edinburgh Churchill Livingstone