NURS1101 Foundations Of Professional Practice

Part A

1. Reflection on how values and beliefs, values and behavior and how they affect practice and outcomes of patients.

The values and beliefs held by an individual or individuals have a great impact on the prognosis from disease and illness. For instance, cultural beliefs that do not support the visiting of health facilities for treatment end up to worsen the patient’s prognosis. In addition, the existence of false beliefs regarding medical treatment in health facilities such as those that support the fact that healthcare may not be profitable hinder patient’s prognosis significantly and affect the overall health of the patient. Poor behavior in regard to nurse and patient interactions has a negating effect on patient’s outcome and in service delivery within the healthcare system. When the therapeutic relationship between the nurse and the patient is interfered with poor prognosis from disease and infirmity is the ultimate result (Haywood et al., 2017).

2. Two examples on how to access information regarding the current emerging industry developments and how to use them to improve practice and expand fields of expertise.

Information regarding current emerging industry developments can be accessed through the use of research for example. Research is the most effective way of ensuring that enough data regarding the changes in industry are easily identified (Blaik Hourani, & Litz, 2018)

Identification of changes in the materials and the change in processes in different industries can be easily identified. Information from reports and research documents can be easily accessed through online websites and libraries. This information can then be compiled so as to obtain necessary information (Wiese,  Zielke, & Toporowski, 2015). Following influencers and other famous personalities in one’s field of expertise is yet another critical methods of identifying changes in industry trends. Information from famous influencers is useful in fostering change within the industry environment. Influencers have a heightened access to information in the business field. The availability of information ensures a steady flow of significant, up-to date and current information from this influencers. The information obtained can be employed to foster change and expand expertise in the industry field by changing any pitfalls identified by these influencers into positive good (Adeoti, 2017).

3. (a)The 8 core principles of ethics for nurses in Australia, their purpose and how they can be applied to practice.

The 8 core principles of ethics in Australia, their purpose and how they can be employed in Australia include:

1. That nurses have to value the provision of quality nursing for all the people.
2. That nurses should value respect and the accordance of kindness for both themselves and for others
3. That nurses have to value diversity of all the groups of people.
4. That nurse have to value access to both quality nursing and health care for all the people
5. That nurses have to value the act of informed decision-making
6. That nurses have to value the culture of both safety in nursing and health care provision
7. That nurses have the duty to value the ethical management of information.
8. That nurses have to value socially, economically stable and ecologically sustainable environment that promotes health and personal wellbeing (Kangasniemi,  Pakkanen, & Korhonen, 2015).

The purpose of the ethical code of ethics among nurses in Australia is to ensure that the nurses are able to identify and comprehend the ethical values and particular standards that are need for the nursing profession in Australia and their duty to ensure they do not go against the set standards. Additionally, the ethical codes act as a reference point from which nurses can show an appropriate conduct of themselves (Johnstone, 2015).

Thirdly, the code of ethics acts as a guide in dealing with ethical dilemmas and other ethical issues that rise within the field of healthcare ( Ingham-Broomfield, 2017).

Fourthly, the code of ethics develops an avenue in which the community can highlight their expectations of nurses working within the medical field. In cases where nurses do not meet the expected level of performance, the community members can find ways and means of dealing with the issues (Jones et al., 2016).

Thee codes of ethics can be employed in diverse ways, including to guide decision making, in the provision of nursing care and in guiding the direction of nursing care in general. The codes ensure that all nurses, whatever their cadres, follow the set out rules and principles of  nursing  ethics, those that do not are easily identified (Schmidt & Mcarthur, 2018).

(b) Two legal and ethical requirements and how they can be used to meet the requirements of the code include:

1. Beneficence: this describes the attribute of doing the highest amount of positive good. Nurses have a duty to do the highest amount of positive good to ensure the survival of patients (Snelling, 2016).
2. Non-maleficence: nursing is built on ensuring that patients receive quality care. Nurses have the duty to ensure they do not harm patients. However sick or violent a patient is, the nurse does not have the right to harm him or her.
3. Legal and ethical considerations for practice.

A variety of legal and ethical considerations exist that govern practice include:

The code of practice, which is a framework that states how nursing activities are to be performed. The code is based on non-malfeasance, beneficence, autonomy, veracity and fidelity principles. It guides the activities of the nurse in the health care system

Duty of care. Nursing is based on the duty of care aspect. Nurses have the sole duty to take care of others under their care in spite of their state. Whether they are violent or in different states.

Rights and duties of employers and workers. Employers have the duty to remunerate workers under their care appropriately based on the work they do and the energy they put into it. Employers should not harass those working under them. Nurses have the duty to follow set instructions as per institutional policies.

5. Principles and techniques of.

• Goal setting:

Goals that are set should meet the SMART format. Personal goals should be specific, they should aim at accomplishing specific types of measurable outcomes that are achievable in nature and are structured for a specific duration of time.

• Progress and performance measurement

Performance should be against specific goals and outcome criteria. The performance of a  product is not possible without the presence of goals and outcome criteria.

• Setting realistic frameworks. The setting of realistic frameworks is based on the fact that the frameworks must be based on some criteria. The frameworks developed must be appropriate and meet the needs of the institution in question.
• Establishing a personal development plan. A personal development plan must be set to meet the prevailing changes.  A needs based analysis should be established as it is the  best way to identify the needs and figure out the solution to these needs.

6. Different learning styles and how they relate to different individuals.

Expository learning style in which information is provided for to the  intended recipient either directly through lectures or videos for learning. Leaning materials are provided directly to individuals using this methods.

Heuristic learning methods: in this approach, learning is based on the learners own ability to search for their own information independently. However since this method is based on the ability of the leaner it is limited to the his or her abilities.

7. List and explanation of professional development opportunities.

Professional development opportunities include:

• Industry networking. Through networking it is possible to learn more and more from different industry workers. Changes in technology can easily be learnt through industry networking.
• Professional associations provide opportunities for personal development. The provision of seminars and other fieldwork opportunities enables association members to develop both morally and in terms of fieldwork activities.  
• Both informal and formal means of learning are effective in improving the performance and promoting professional development. Some of the informal means of learning and learning as group picnics and formal interventions such as meeting in boardrooms is effective in promoting personal development.

8. Internal support networks: team members, counsellors

External support networks: family, friends, colleagues from other institutions.

9. (a)Where she requires self care:
10. Cutting her finger nails.
11. Taking a break during work hours.

(b) Where she needs additional support:

1. i) Dealing with the loss of her brother
2. ii)  Dealing with her alcohol addiction problem

(b) Personal development plan.

10. Models and processes of professional development

The models of and process of professional development  include:

Individually-Guided staff development: in this approach of professional development, individuals  seek to develop themselves through reading research documents and through their own individualized approaches.

Observation or assessment: reflection is central to personal development of individuals. It is critical, therefore, that individuals monitor their progress and weight it on the progress and performance of others. This approach fosters both individual and organizational development.

Involvement in development and improvement process: involvement  of individuals in the creation of appropriate personal development initiatives significantly aids in both organizational and individual development prospects.

11. Work methods that can improve performance.

Work methods that can improve performance include the provision of work delegation, matching tasks to skills, communicating effectively, having clear goals and providing incentives to employees.

Part B

During my working with clients, I recognized that values play a critical role in the perception that patients have of me. Lack of adequate consideration of the patient’s health and wellbeing led to a situation in which the patient was more sickly and not healthy. It was paramount for the patients to receive holistic care that not only addressed their physical needs but also their emotional, physiological and psychological needs. Patients who did not receive maximum care and attention which met their needs ended up having a poor prognosis. In order to improve performance in the workplace, I had to ensure that all this needs were met holistically and in a timely manner.

Together with my peers and nursing colleagues, I was able to identify that there are a lot of shortcomings in the medical workplace. The presence of  few workmates in the workplace and long hours of work has a very devastating effect on patient outcomes. The lack of a team approach during the care of patients is also devastating the patient’s prognosis. In order to ensure maximum health and wellbeing in patients, it is crucial to ensure that there is use of a team approach within the nursing care of the patients. A team a approach is useful in reducing the burden of patient care to the nurses. I employed the team approach as I took care of patients under me. Patients were more stable and had a better prognosis when the team approach was employed. However, when I was overloaded with many patients,  was not able to perform effectively. I could not accord the patients primary care due to the fact that I was not able to adequately care for them. I did my based to ensure patients received primary care which was individualized in nature. This is due to the fact that it has been documented that the use of a primary care approach is effective in improving the patients outcomes.  

Current trends in the health industry are focused at ensuring patients receive individualized and patient centered care. The absence of patient centered care is one of the reasons for poor prognosis of patient’s health. It is critical ,therefore, that patients are able to receive this type of care to ensure appropriate outcomes. During my clinical placement, I was able to learn a lot in terms of methods and procedures and I look forward to adding more and more knowledge.

My Personal Development  Plan as a nurse toe ensure I have at least 20 hours for continued personal development annually.

The support networks within my organization will be my fellow nurses, counsellors  and team members of the medical team. Working with fellow medical professionals will ensure that I am able to perform effectively since I will be able to learn from them.

My external support groups will be fellow medical professionals working in other institutions, nurses, clinicians and educator from external institutions. My family and friends are also an effective support group.

I will engage experts from different learning institutions, including mentors and professors to improve my performance. I will also keep abreast with the prevailing changes in the medical field by making sure I learn new an diverse aspects about the medical filed from the mentors. Networking using social media will be effective in ensuring that I am able to access timely and adequate information as the prevailing needs arise.

Reflective journal about my self evaluation and personal professional improvement plan.

Values play a critical role in personal development and in both shaping the image of nursing and the development of the nursing profession in general. It is significant, therefore, that I continue respecting the culture and diverse aspects of the  patients that I treat. In the absence of respect of patient’s cultural values, poor prognosis from disease increases. Patients who feel that their values and cultural beliefs are being considered are considered to have a better prognosis from disease and illness.  A holistic approach, that considers the patient in a whole is crucial to the improvement of patient prognosis from disease and illness. How I deal with difficult patient is also crucial in shaping the perception of people regarding nursing.

In the event that I am overloaded with stress and anguish as a result of dealing with difficult patients, I choose to take some day’s off to deal with it. I develop appropriate need based solutions such as meeting the counsellors office and going out with friends and family to reduce the developed stress.

Accepting feedback in a non-defensive manner is crucial to maintaining mental health. Dealing patiently with difficult patients is also crucial to the maintenance of appropriate mental health. I willingly accept feedback from my superiors so as to improve and maintain performance.

The thin line that exists between different work groups in the health department means that there is a high likelihood of collision between different work departments and workmates. In order to deal with the diverse collision, it is crucial to deal with these by performing activities that are only allocated to me. I avoid performing jobs or activities for other team members. The use of a team approach in the work environment is also crucial. The use of a team approach through a professional communication with other team members is thus crucial. I maintain professional communication at all times.  The duty of care is represented when I ensure a sick patient has received all the prescribed medication and is comfortable. Patients who cannot reach levels of self-care are also able to gain assistance in achieving appropriate levels of care.

References

Adeoti, J. O. (2017). Technology and the Environment in Sub-Saharan Africa: Emerging Trends in the Nigerian Manufacturing Industry: Emerging Trends in the Nigerian Manufacturing Industry. Routledge.

Blaik Hourani, R., & Litz, D. R. (2018). Aligning professional development, school self-evaluation and principals’ performance standards: a UAE case study. School Leadership & Management, 1-28.

Haywood, K., Lyddiatt, A., Brace-McDonnell, S. J., Staniszewska, S., & Salek, S. (2017). Establishing the values for patient engagement (PE) in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) research: an international, multiple-stakeholder perspective. Quality of Life Research, 26(6), 1393-1404.

Ingham-Broomfield, R. (2017). A nurses’ guide to ethical considerations and the process for ethical approval of nursing research. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, The, 35(1), 40.

Jones, J., Winch, S., Strube, P., Mitchell, M., & Henderson, A. (2016). Delivering compassionate care in intensive care units: nurses’ perceptions of enablers and barriers. Journal of advanced nursing, 72(12), 3137-3146.

Johnstone, M. J. (2015). Decolonizing nursing ethics. International nursing review, 62(2), 141-142.

Kangasniemi, M., Pakkanen, P., & Korhonen, A. (2015). Professional ethics in nursing: an integrative review. Journal of advanced nursing, 71(8), 1744-1757.

Schmidt, B. J., & Mcarthur, E. C. (2018, January). Professional nursing values: A concept analysis. In Nursing forum (Vol. 53, No. 1, pp. 69-75).

Snelling, P. C. (2016). The metaethics of nursing codes of ethics and conduct. Nursing Philosophy, 17(4), 229-249.

Wiese, A., Zielke, S., & Toporowski, W. (2015). Sustainability in retailing–research streams and emerging trends. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 43(4/5).