NURS 3100 Discussion: The Essence of Nursing
According to Ma, Shang, & Bott (2015), it is critical that contemporary nurses have strong leadership and collaboration skills to improve health care. Reflect on the expertise that you expect to acquire with your education at Walden. Envision yourself taking the lead to improve patient care in your practice setting. Describe the knowledge and skills needed to achieve your professional goals.
In today’s world of healthcare, it is imperative that providers and nurses demonstrate high levels of communication among them. In the study by Ma, Shang, and Bott, nurses were administered two scales, both adapted from the Index of Work Satisfaction, which measures nurses’ attitudes toward distinct aspects of their jobs (Ma, et al, 2015). Nurses noted higher levels of job satisfaction, less intent to leave, and better quality of heath care on units with better teamwork and communication.
I wholeheartedly agree with the results of this study. As I work in the emergency department, I find that communication between providers and nurses is key to providing the best quality of healthcare for our patients. It helps to ensure that everyone on the treatment team is on the same page with the patient’s plan of care and lessens the chance of miscommunication and/or mistakes being made. NURS 3100 Discussion: The Essence of Nursing. When the patient sees that his/her provider communicates with his/her nurse, it reinforces the confidence the patient has in the treatment team.
I expect to use my 15 years working in clinical psychology and my 13 years as a nurse when I finish my program and become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. I certainly realize that the nurse is the one to spend the most time with the patient and, therefore, is often the one who has earned the patient’s trust. Currently, my providers depend on me to gather very personal information about our psychiatric patients and make suggestions about the level of care needed. I plan to use my experience as a nurse when I become a psychiatric nurse practitioner as I will remember to keep the lines of communication open and two-way. NURS 3100 Discussion: The Essence of Nursing. I think having been a nurse communicating with providers will only help to strengthen my own communication skills when I myself become a provider.
References:
Ma, C. , Shang, J. & Bott, M. J. (2015). Linking Unit Collaboration and Nursing Leadership to Nurse Outcomes and Quality of Care. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 45(9), 435–442. doi: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000000229.
Discussion: The Essence of Nursing
Jean Watson states that “caring is the essence of nursing.” Compassion, wisdom, loving kindness, caring, and knowledge, all concepts of Watson’s Caring Theory, are what nurses are all about. Watson’s Caring Theory incorporates arts and humanities as well as science.
Delivering the kind of care Watson describes hinges on nurses practicing to the fullest extent of their education and training and on their taking the lead to improve health care safety and quality and patient outcomes (2010). Think about how you incorporate science into your everyday practice. Right now, for example, you may use your understanding of pharmacotherapy when safely administering medications. In the future, do you see yourself applying your research expertise by collecting or using clinical data to improve patient outcomes at your place of work or in the larger community? NURS 3100 Discussion: The Essence of Nursing.
To prepare
- Review the following resources from this week’s Learning Resources:
- Week 4 Discussion Rubric, provided in the Course Information area or accessible through the link below
- This week’s Writing Resources and Program Success Tools
- This week’s articles and media
By Day 3
Post a 3-paragraph response (of at least 350 words) to one of the following options. Be sure to use evidence from the readings and include in-text citations. Utilize essay-level writing practice and skills, including the use of transitional material and organizational frames. Use the writing resources and the Week 4 Discussion Rubric to develop your post.
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Reflect on your readings from this week, and then address one of the following options:
Option 1
According to Ma, Shang, & Bott (2015), it is critical that contemporary nurses have strong leadership and collaboration skills to improve health care. Reflect on the expertise that you expect to acquire with your education at Walden. Envision yourself taking the lead to improve patient care in your practice setting. Describe the knowledge and skills needed to achieve your professional goals.
OR
Option 2
Use the website, http://www.qualityindicators.ahrq.gov/ , found in the Learning Resources to do the following:
- Provide a brief definition of quality indicators.
- Choose a particular indicator that either is being addressed or you would like to see addressed at your place of employment (or previous place of employment), and explain your reasons. Describe both the issue and your involvement in it. Alternatively, discuss your leadership’s role and your role in utilizing the indicator to improve health care. NURS 3100 Discussion: The Essence of Nursing.
By Day 7
Read two or more of your colleagues’ postings from the Discussion question.
Respond with a comment that asks for clarification, provides support for, or contributes additional information to two or more of your colleagues.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your classmates made.
Post a discussion entry on 3 different days of the week.
A patient safety indicator that is currently being addressed and will continue to be discussed in the hospital setting are pressure ulcer rates (“Agency for Healthcare,” n.d.). Pressure ulcer injuries can happen to patients of all ages. Too often, we see patients who have either had a stroke or became paralyzed to the point that it limits the individual’s mobility. These patients cannot redistribute their weight correctly, which can ultimately lead to a pressure injury and many other complications later on. Pressure injuries can lead to unforeseen costs in inpatient care, as well. As nurses, our job is to prevent our patients from harm and oversee all aspects of their care. Although repositioning a patient may seem simple and easily delegated, it is still the nurse’s job to make sure it is done. For me, it is crucial to help my patients progress and prevent any complication in their care that may set them back. Unless I am busy with other tasks, I make a point to reposition my patient so that I can assess them and their current skin condition better. NURS 3100 Discussion: The Essence of Nursing.
Being in the leadership role as a registered nurse (RN) on the floor, I can collaborate with a team of healthcare workers to prevent harm to my patients. Currently, where I work now, we use team nursing. Team nursing may include one RN, one licensed practical nurse, and one personal care assistant. Working in this setting allows me to collaborate with my team and other specialties in my patient’s care. The hospital setting can be hectic, and it takes a group of individuals to ensure patient safety. As an RN, I make sure all patients that need assistance in repositioning are getting repositioned a minimum of every two hours. It seems like a simple task, but this small intervention can help our patients continue their road to recovery.
References:
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.). AHRQuality indicators. Retrieved from http://www.qualityindicators.ahrq.gov/ NURS 3100 Discussion: The Essence of Nursing
