Example Of Essay On Nursing

Discussion 2 Question 1 The benefits of evidence-based practice warrant its integration in health care institutions. While the integration of evidence-based practice is at times impeded by several barriers, the use of the following strategies can aid the implementation of evidence-based practice in health care institutions. The first strategy I would employ as a future nurse leader in integrating evidence-based practice in my organization is the identification of the barriers to the implementation of evidence-based practice and facilitators.
This strategy is important because it prepares the organization for the integration of evidence-based practices into its operations. By identifying the barriers, a nurse leader can devise strategies through which these barriers can be overcome. Additionally, this strategy enables the identification of facilitators to fast track the integration process. Through the use of self-assessment tools, the organization can understand its limitations and strengths in their preparation for the integration of the evidence-based practice (Gale & Schaffer, 2009).` The other strategy that I would employ as a future nurse leader in integrating evidence-based practice in the organization is through education and training. Education and training not only improve the knowledge of the nursing staff, but also strengthens the belief of the practitioners regarding the benefits that evidence-based practice grants the organization. This also assuages any fears among the nursing staff and other members of the multidisciplinary team that the integration of evidence-based practice in the organization might expose them as incompetent. Through education, such members will be aware that the integration of evidence-based practice will impart more knowledge, thereby giving them more confidence in determining the causes of action during practice through the use of practices supported by evidence (Houser. & Oman, 2011).

References

Gale, B. & Schaffer, M. (2009). Organizational Readiness for Evidence-Based Practice. Journal of Nursing Administration, 39(2): 91-97.
Houser, J. & Oman , K. (2011). Evidence-based practice: An implementation guide for healthcare organizations. Sadbury. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
References
Rubenfeld, M. G., & Scheffer, B.K. (2010). Critical thinking TACTICS for nurses: Achieving the IOM competencies (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett
Professional Development Plan (PDP) Part 1Introduction The RN-BSN Program is designed to prepare a nurse for the professional world of health care. It has various components as its requirements, the aim of which is to prepare a nurse with adequate skills to function effectively in health care provision. Throughout this program, I have learned many concepts. I have also had numerous opportunities to employ these concepts in practice. the theoretical perspectives of the course and the experience from practice have impacted me positively as a professional nurse. By fulfilling the requirements of the RN-BSN Program, I am adequately prepared for the next level in both my professional and academic life.
Assume leadership roles on multidisciplinary teams within health care organizations.
Nursing leadership is very important in the delivery of care. The requirements of this program have presented various opportunities for developing leadership skills. The application of the concepts learned throughout the program as they fit in different situations and the evaluation of the outcomes helped me hone my leadership skills. Team leaders, especially when the members of the team are drawn from different disciplines are required to ensure the team works effectively towards its goals. My leadership skills were tested when I was required by the nurse manager in my organization to create an activity that would improve the effectiveness of the team. In my assessment, effectiveness was impeded by ethnic intolerance. More precisely, there were divisions along ethnic lines, a factor that prevented people from working together effectively. In response to this I created a cultural week, where the main aim was to learn about and embrace the importance cultural diversity within a team (Whitehead, Weiss, & Tappen, 2009). Through my moderation, we were able to develop cultural sensitivity by learning about different cultures. This activity was successful in improving the effectiveness of the multidisciplinary group, the evidence of which was increased cooperation and cohesion among members in the following weeks. The role I played in improving the effectiveness of this multidisciplinary team has impacted my nursing profession in several ways. Some of these ways involve the identification of problems and decision-making n appropriate interventions (Fulton, Lyon & Goudreau, 2010).
Enhance professional nursing practice through the use of research and evidence-based practice.
Throughout this program, the use of evidence-based practice has dominated every theme I have studied. The theoretical perspectives studied through the course have impacted my professional nursing practice. I have had several instances throughout the program to put this knowledge to practice. I remember one instance where I participated in a volunteer exercise as a nurse at a home caring for the elderly people. My responsibilities in this nursing exercise were the assessment of the elderly patients and also preparing interventions for pain management. It was a laborious exercise, hence the requirement for help by the resident nurse. Through the use of informatics, I learned that one can use algorithms to facilitate the assessment of patients and make the subsequent decisions on pain management. These algorithms are developed through the use of evidence-based practices (Jablonski, DuPen & Ersek, 2011). I suggested the use of these algorithms to the resident nurse for approval. By using them as a guiding framework, one could determine the endpoints thereby making the decision-making process easy and accurate. This approach not only made my work easier and accurate, but also helped the institution in the future.
Integrate methods of research and scholarship to make and prioritize diagnoses.
Throughout the program, I have understood the various benefits of evidence-based practice. Research is a very important component of evidence-based practice. In fulfilling this requirement of the program, I reviewed the strategies through which evidence-based practice can be integrated into an organization. Offering scholarships for other nurses is necessary in order to not only increase learning, but to also help improve patient outcomes in the organization through the use of evidence-based practice.
Design care for individuals, groups, and communities.
As a requirement for my RN-BSN Program, I took part in designing life care plans for an individual with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This was a very engaging exercise. Among other reasons, it required the use of online software to order the various elements of the life care plan. As such, it was an exercise where I not only put my knowledge in case and disease management to practice, but also learned a news skill; the use of online software in preparing life care plans. This was also a new experienced. In my nursing practice, I had prepared nursing care plans for patients. However, the scope of these plans was short, hence making the preparation of life care plans more elaborate. This had a positive impact on my professional nursing practice. I had done patient assessments previously for triage purposes. However, the patient assessment required in designing life plan care is more engaging. Additionally, this assessment incorporated diverse aspects, thereby broadening my skills. In my future position as a nurse leader, I will be better versed to design care for patients.
Incorporate methods of health promotion and education in nursing care of individuals, families and groups with simple to complex health care needs.
In the context of rising health care expenditures, it is prudent to focus on preventive rather than curative measures. Thus, health education and promotion are becoming more valuable terms in health care compared to recent times. It is important to understand that the scope of health care professionals is not just offering curative services in a health care institution. Part of their scope also encompasses preventive health. These are concepts I have learned adequately in this program.
The requirements of the program have also allowed me opportunity to design health promotion and education material while focusing on a certain population that is different from my population type. In fulfilling this requirement, I was able to apply many learned skills that are important in health promotion and education. For instance, I was working with people of Chinese descent living in New York. In fulfilling this requirement, I learned of the assessment and prioritizing health needs of other populations, navigating different barriers and prioritizing resources allocation. All these are skills that are important to my professional nursing practice.
Accept accountability and responsibility for professional judgment and actions.
One of the professional values of nursing is responsibility. Accountability and responsibility are also enshrined in the code of ethics that guides nursing practice. The nursing practice does not just entail the direct provision of care to the patients. It also entails other responsibilities such as teaching, administration, and research. I have had opportunities to take part in some of these responsibilities in addition to the delivery of care (American Nurses Association, 2011). For instance, I created a culture week where I taught other members of the multidisciplinary team on ethnic sensitivity and cohesion. I reckon that by taking on these responsibilities, I improved my professionalism. Additionally, these responsibilities help one apply the concepts learned in patient care. For instance, some advanced practices nurses are authorized to issue treatment orders and prescriptions. It is important to understand that such nurses are accountable and responsible for their judgment. Such knowledge encourages sobriety and cautiousness during work (American Nurses Association, 2011).
Integrate professional values and role behaviors.
The nursing profession embodies various values that guide the delivery of care. It is important for a nurse to not only understand these values, but as well put them into practice. I have had various opportunities throughout this program to integrate professional values in my nursing practice. Firstly, the values to which I make reference are responsibility, honesty, equality of all patients, the belief in human dignity, an innate desire to alleviate or prevent suffering and the search for new knowledge. These values have helped shape my behavior and my beliefs with regards to nursing (Shaw & Degazon, 2008). The various aspects of professionalism that I have learned through practices include attitude, willingness to help and appearance. As a future nurse leader, one’s attitude is important. One’s attitude tells others of your views on various issues and the world at large. A leader is supposed to inspire others members in his team. More often than not, people are not just inspired by words, but also by the actions of the leader. There is a need for congruence between the words and actions of nurse leaders in order to effectively function as leaders. By realizing this during this program, I am better placed to function effectively as a future nurse leader (Shaw & Degazon, 2008).
Examine the problems of contemporary health and illness.
It is important for professional nurses to stay abreast with new developments in terms of health problems. As highlighted earlier, the Ebola outbreak in Africa presents health challenges, not just for health professionals in the affected areas, but also in other areas around the globe because of the effects of globalization. As such, examining the problems that present with Ebola as one of the contemporary health problems ensures that nurses remain up-to-date and ready in the case of any emergencies.
Demonstrate the role of the global citizen.
With the increasing globalization, many aspects of life are viewed in the context of global perspectives. Issues in health have also taken global perspectives, with students in health professions being prepared to not only operate in their domestic health institutions, but also on the global scene. The concept of global citizenship in the general concept of health care and more specifically in nursing became more significant now, especially in the wake of the Ebola outbreak in the continent of Africa. Healthcare professionals have been deployed to the affected regions on humanitarian interventions to assisting in stemming the spread of the virus and assisting the affected. The effects of this outbreak have also been felt here as a result of globalization. A global citizen in a nursing perspective is aware of the interconnectedness present between global and local health challenges and also takes part in developing and implementing solutions to the health problems (Mill, Astle, Ogilvie & Gastaldo, 2010).
Collaborate with other groups to shape health policies that affect both individual and community health.
As highlighted earlier, one of the responsibilities of nurses is administration. As an administrator, a nurse has the ability to affect policy change in health care. It is necessary that nurses serving as administrators utilize this position to encourage positive change in health policies in order to improve health care. This can be done through the collaboration with several groups. For instance, the collaboration through research can develop new approaches to patient care incorporate them into current standards of practice or institute policy changes to alter existing standards.Conclusion The RN-BSN Program approaches the preparation of nurses for the professional world of health care in a holistic manner. The various elements of the program enable a nurse to perform in various settings by imparting skills that are universally important to the nursing profession. The program also offers opportunities for nurses to experience the application of the concepts learned through nursing practice. This serves to reinforce the importance of the concepts, especially by relating them to the improvements in patient outcomes. This allows a nurse to grow professionally. My participation in this program has impacted by life as a professional nurse positively. By fulfilling the requirements of the RN-BSN Program, I am adequately prepared for the next level in both my professional and academic life.
References
American Nurses Association. (2011). Provision 4 | Code of Ethics for Nurses With Interpretive Statements. Retrieved 25 Jan. 2015 from http://www.nursingworld.org/provision-4#one
Fulton, J. S., Lyon, B. L., & Goudreau, K. A. (2010). Foundations of clinical nurse specialist practice. New York: Springer.
Jablonski, A., DuPen, A. & Ersek, M. (2011). The use of algorithms in assessing and managing persistent pain in older adults. American Journal of Nursing, 111(6): 34-43.
Mill, J., Astle, B., Ogilvie, L. & Gastaldo, D. (2010). Linking global citizenship, undergraduate nursing education, and professional nursing: curricular innovation in the 21st century. Advances in nursing science, 33 (3): E1-E11
Shaw, H. & Degazon, C. (2008). Integrating the core professional values of nursing: A profession, not just a career. Journal of cultural diversity, 15(1): 44-51
Whitehead, D. K., Weiss, S. A., & Tappen, R. M. (2009). Essentials of Nursing Leadership and Management. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Co.