Laws on the other hand are binding rules of conduct. When laws are broken, it is punishable by an authority figure. An example of this would be a nurse making a medication error and not reporting it. The legal system and ethical system overlap in most situations, and every patient contact has the potential to produce a legal or ethical situation. “Knowledge of legal issues are essential because nurses are required to practice in accordance with legislation affecting nursing practice and health care failure to respect the legal rights of clients may result in legal or disciplinary actions.” (Makely, Austin, & Kester, 2013, p.64).
Along with defining nursing, the practice act sets professional standards by giving guidance regarding scope of practice. “The overall guidance goals for nurses are designed to accomplish competence” (Brent, 1997). In order to produce quality nursing care provided by qualified practitioners we rely on the guidance and regulations of the Nursing Practice Act. “To achieve success, it is very important that nurses become familiar with the Nursing Practice Act because the health care system is always changing”(Brent, 1997). “Scope of
The duties of the nurse are first and foremost, to be a patient advocate and to ensure that the patient has the best possible quality of life, and maintains the most dignity and individuality possible. Often nurses face the dilemma of right and wrong during the decision making process, when a patients requests (or patient’s family requests) and cultural beliefs are in direct conflict with the nurses own ethics, beliefs, facility rules and the laws governing nurses. The nurse thus has to deal with the legal and ethical decision of what to do and is
In the case of malpractice witnessed by a nurse against a fellow nurse and the facility that they worked, the code of ethics also has provisions to protect nurses as well. Provision 2 addresses the conflict of interest a nurse may have, but ultimately provides clarity for protecting the patient's interests. Provision 3
RTT1 - Organizational Systems and Quality Leadership Western Governors University RN-BSN Pre-Licensure Program The situation with patient Mr. J is quite frightening to say the least. There are multiple issues at hand here that put the patient’s health in jeopardy. As nurses, we have an obligatory responsibility to protect our patients and to practice the principle of beneficence. Having an understanding of nursing-sensitive indicators is crucial in preventing the development of hospital-associated injury and increased mortality/morbidity. These are principles instilled in us throughout nursing school, and guide nurses in our practice.
The way in which a nurse practices can greatly affect the outcome of the patient (Potter & Perry, 2006). For this reason, nursing practices based on theories and concepts should be researched. The process of using concepts, theories, research and practices to form rationales usually begins with a concept or theory and is cyclic in nature, as each component may lead to the other (see Appendix A). In the nursing profession, several concept-directed theories guide both research and practice. The purpose of this paper is to select and analyze one of the many nursing theories that exist.
Nurses need to review the disaster history of their community, as well as how past disasters have affected the community’s health care delivery system (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008). It is important for nurses to understand and gain the competencies necessary to respond in times of disasters before disaster strikes. The preparedness competencies should focus on personal preparedness, understanding roles, becoming acquainted with the health department’s disaster plan and communication equipment appropriate for disaster situations (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008). Disaster and mass casualty drills and exercises are extremely valuable components of preparedness that can give nurses and other personnel opportunities to improve plans. Nurses should also identify limits to their own knowledge/skill/authority and identify key resources for referring situations that exceed those limits.
The structure indicators are related to nursing staff characteristics such as the skill mix, experience, certification and education of the nurses. The process indicators are those that measure the interactions of health care personnel and the patient such as nursing assessments and interventions. Moreover, RN job satisfaction falls under the process. Nursing Sensitive patient outcomes are the desired or undesired changes that are impacted the most by nursing care such as patient falls and pressure ulcers. Nursing-sensitive indicators are important to use to achieve optimal nursing care.
Although competing demands of patient, family, and physician have risen, the nurse’s first priority is always providing care that ensures patient safety and protects the best welfare of the patient. A nurse is subject to a malpractice lawsuit if incompetent care results in patient harm. When a nurse cares for patients, he or she takes on the duties and responsibilities to care for the patient in a skilled and thorough manner. Nurses are expected to provide the same quality of care
Professional Roles & Values--Task 3 It is imperative that the FNP recognize her role to better meet the needs of the client. The nurse should meet with the FNP to explain the resources that are available at the clinic (ie: other staff members) During the meeting with the FNP the nurse should have policies on hand that have specifics of what the FNP should do in certain situations (ie: when to refer the patient to the high-risk clinic). The FNP needs to understand that while she is concerned about the patient it is her obligation to ensure the patient receives safe, quality care. When delegating the nurse is still accountable and responsible for the nursing practice. The nurse should ensure that when they delegate the person they are delegating to is competent enough for the task.