The nurse should reflect a high degree of professionalism to patients, the public, and other professionals. Teamwork is a major characteristic of professional nursing. Many times nurses will need assistance helping their patients, and people will be more apt to lend a helping hand if you yourself go out of your way to help others. This not only helps your coworkers but in the long run provides faster more efficient care for the patients. Teamwork may be one of the most important professional characteristics in healthcare.
Leadership in Nursing Essential to quality patient care is the effective functioning of an interdisciplinary team. In most clinical settings, nurses have the closest relationship with patients. For that reason nurses need to take an active role in the interdisciplinary team, they are the front line providers, ensure communication between team members and the patient, and continually advocate for the patient and family. Nurses know how care should be delivered. They can ensure smooth handoffs as the patient transitions through the continuum.
Being a part of a Professional organization allows us to make a powerful statement about who we are as nurses. It shows employers, colleagues and most of all our patients about our commitment to our nursing profession. It identifies us as a nurses who are serious about the profession as well as staying informed, educated and involves in all aspects of nursing care. Being a member of an organization is not required, but it is highly recommended. Keeping on top of any nursing advanced is a key benefit but there are many other: (N.A., 2012) 1) Networking 2) Educational opportunities 3) Access to mentors and mentoring 4) Forums on how to improve the nursing profession 5) Personal and professional growth 6) Unity Professional organizations allow nurses to speak in one loud voice.
Even though nurses work together as a unit, it always helps to have a leader. The leader is a more experienced nurse then other member of the nursing team. This gives other nurses someone to look up to and feel comfortable going to during a difficult situation and when you need assistance. Leadership Transitioning In the article The Future of Nursing Leadership: A Commentary, by Kenneth R. White, FACHE, he describes how nursing leaders play a larger role then only on the units. According to White, K. R. (2014) “Nurse were the original servant leaders—at the patient’s beside and in communities- and now they are perfectly positioned to take their experience with leadership to a heightened level.
For those willing to accept the obstacles that come with the rapidly changing health care industry, it can also provide amazing rewards. Most registered nurses have a passion for their jobs and are deeply committed to their task of providing the best medical care at some of the most vulnerable times in people’s lives. REGISTERED NURSING A Career of Obstacles and Rewards DEFINITION “registered nurse. A person formally educated and trained in the care of the sick or infirm. One who has the general care to tend or minister to in sickness, infirmity, etc” (Dictionary.com).
One passion, simple but strong that has governed my life is my interest in health sciences. Nursing is all about passion and dedication. Passion to acquire knowledge and be able to understand the complexity of the human body. Dedication to helping people and making a difference in their lives. I would love to have the opportunity to graduate from nursing, because I have a strong desire to help people and make a difference in the quality of their lives every day.
Some feel that higher educated nurses are vital to meeting the demands of our ever changing healthcare needs. “A well-educated, highly-skilled, and diverse nurse workforce is critical to meeting future healthcare needs.” (Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS], 2011). Scientific studies have been conducted to support this parallel. Research shows that healthcare institutions with higher percentages of baccalaureate-prepared nurses benefit with better patient outcomes in addition to significantly lower mortality rates (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2012). This research resulted in the healthcare industry taking great strides to increase the number of baccalaureate-prepared nurses.
Nursing seems like an ideal industry in which to practice team building. Hospitals are a high pressure, high intensity work culture. The teams of nurses should be a productive team with communication and goals. Patients are quality and job satisfaction and stem from team building skills. It is discouraging that nurses would sacrifice team building to save time.
Enhancing Patient Safety by reducing Medical Errors I chose the topic of “Enhancing patient safety by reducing medical errors” because it is a topic that I am very interested in. No matter what area of nursing I choose to go in, patient safety is always going to be a crucial part of the healthcare system. I know that when I work with the different patients, I am going have to provide a safe quality of care, be aware of the different risk factors that can affect a patient’s safety. I understand it is going to be a challenge to keep patients safe because errors and mistakes happen every day, and they can happen at any time. I feel like my job as a nurse would be to make sure that no errors occur, and that the patient is safe at all times.
Why I Chose Nursing Being a nurse is a very influential and rewarding profession. Nurses care for people through illness, injury, pain, loss, dying, grieving, birth, growth, aging and health. They not only care for people through illness, but they also promote health, prevent diseases and educate the public. We all know that nursing is a field that is concerned with helping people, yet I believe that in becoming a nurse, a person needs more than that desire to succeed. It is essential for a nurse to be open, strong, determined, thoughtful and caring.