Nursing encompasses various roles, inclusive of providing beneficial care, supporting patient autonomy and patient advocacy. Patients are capable of designating the direction of their medical care, possessing rights to refuse and accept proposed procedures according to the Patient Self Determination Act of 1990 which mandates patients be given information regarding their rights and abilities to prepare Advance Directives.
Nursing Roles and Values
Each of the United States develops standards of care distinguishing nursing roles and competencies. Chapter 6, Section 2725 of California’s Nurse Practice Act defines the nursing role in patient care as independently interpreting the patient’s condition, behavior, abnormalities, and judging
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Advance Directives by the patient designates no feeding tubes, artificial ventilation, or CPR. Concerns regarding alteration of mental status consequential to his illness provoke the physician to seek consultation from the designated Power of Attorney. Nursing responsibilities compel the nurse to consider if the proposed actions of Dr. G violate the patient’s rights of self determination and confidentiality and prompt the nurse to advocate for the patient’s desires regarding medical treatment. Health care providers have a responsibility to honor the patient’s autonomy and provide quality medical care (Badger, 2009 p122). Providing artificial nutrition and ventilation transgresses the patient’s directives and is unethical. The physician appears to be asserting a paternalistic approach in deciding what is best for this patient. Should the interventions be temporary and provide resolution of the condition, the physician can defend his actions as being healing and beneficial. However, there is a chance that the interventions may be permanent and futile; avoiding passive euthanasia and terminal dehydration, serving only to prolonging the illness. Violating the patient’s directives of care by performing invasive procedures can lead to legal incriminations of assault and battery.
Role of Nurse Autonomy
The Board of Nursing defines the
The role of the nurse in the healthcare setting is to be supportive, informative, advocate and help patient through their treatment journey through the use of language- verbal and non-verbal.
The chief ethical implication is the violation of the patient’s desire to not be intubated and go on the ventilator. The patient has an advanced directive, a legal document, which clearly states that he does not want to be on a ventilator. The patient does not appear to have changed his mind since the document was drawn up, as evidenced by the patient shaking his head and stating “no” when confronted with the physician’s desire to place the patient on the respirator.
Through the manner in which the case scenario is presented, Mr. Y is not involved in Mr. E’s life decisions even though he is entrusted with Mr. E’s final life decisions.
The roles and responsibility of a nurse are that most nurses face moral problems similar to these faces by the physician as well as a moral problem uniquely related to their professional role thus nurse must sometimes choose between doing what they believe will promote patients well-being and the respecting the patient ’ self-determination. Lisa explained the role as a role, is a “norm-governed patterns of action that undertaken in accordance with the social expectations” (Lisa page 690). Thus, the ability to serve and work according to the
One of the many roles played by a nurse is to advocate for his or her patients,provide holistic care for them, and make surethat
There are several roles assumed by a nurse in the process of caring for the patients. Berman and Snyder (2013) enlists
In general, nurses are responsible for numerous things from dispensing medication to keeping a watchful eye on the patient’s condition. This also includes keeping all paperwork and records up-to-date and being the line of communication between the doctor, the patient and the family involved. At times, nurses are even responsible for providing instruction and overseeing the work of aides and assistants. Nurses also provide care beyond the physical healthcare work they do. For instance, nurses offer emotional support for the patient and his/her family. These dedicated healthcare professionals also ensure patients and their families understand the illness, how to manage the illness (any special dietary needs or medications), and finally, of
It is very important to understand that nurses are the one who control the way they practice along with the guidelines that are set by the nurse practice act and board of nursing. It is important to understand that nursing requires specialization, and nurses need to understand that once they take on the responsibility of caring for a patient, they are solely responsible for that patient. Therefore, it is left up to the individual nurse to ensure that they practice according to the nurse practice act and the board of nursing since the nurse have full autonomy (George, 2011).
The first and primary role of the nurse is that of an expert care provider. The nurse is academically educated and clinically trained to provide an expert level of care that is unique to the practice of nursing. The role of the nurse care provider is constantly evolving as patient care becomes more complex, the demands and expectations of the healthcare consumer increase, and the rules and regulations mandated by governing bodies and regulatory agencies becomes more stringent (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2013). Nurses provide direct patient care in hospitals, nursing homes, and other extended
I am from China and I have been in the United States for over ten years. I developed interest in nursing the main reason is the superior nursing care to my family member offered by the US hospitals. My personal philosophy is universal provision of health-care despite one’s background. As a nurse, one is responsible to offer professional services in any environment. I defined person, environment, health and nursing. My four personal philosophy concepts include competence, accountability, compassion and caring. Nursing philosophy is important because of practice, education, administration and research purposes.
You state nurses can fulfil their advocacy by joining associations related to their profession like nurse association. Another way to work with other individuals or groups to achieve a common goal. Developing a collaborative relationship with professionals in support departments, such as infection prevention, employee health, injury prevention or human resources, will be invaluable when addressing issues that involve these departments. Mosses, I do believe that when you are teaching new student and new nurses you have an opportunity to advocate nursing profession. Another opportunity nurses have to advocate for the profession is by promoting public understanding of the nursing role. Many people do not understand nursing role, they don’t know
In many colleges, there are various philosophies on what nursing philosophy should be with a different emphasis on multiple components. These are made up with a combination of both the spirit of the program with the spirit of the college. After exploring Immaculata’s mission statements on both the nursing philosophy and the overall institution’s philosophy, I believe nursing philosophy should be based on compassion, professionalism, and safe patient care.
Nursing is a nurturing profession, and caring is the core component of this noble profession. Act of caring is what distinguishes nursing from other healthcare professions. Caring is a strong commitment to self, others and the environment, and its deeply rooted in empathy, integrity, compassion, respect, and honesty.
According to a quote by Florence Nightingale, “What nursing has to do in either case, is to put the patient in the best condition for nature to act upon him.” Personally, I believe the role of a professional nurse varies across where he or she is needed. A nurse’s role is predominantly providing physical and emotional support to patients. I choose to purse a nursing career because I want to take care of people to my fullest ability. I presently work as a direct support personnel in a group home. My duties are summed up to assisting the individuals with their activities of daily living. My current academic degree level limits my role in catering for the individuals living in the home. The urge to become a nurse sprouted in 2013, when my mother
Urgency of acute care varies depending on the situation but can range to anything from emergency surgeries, to injuries, chronic illnesses, and also for the recovery of those procedures. Majority of the patients in acute care settings are critically ill. Nursing responsibilities in acute care settings are vital to patient’s recovery due to the front line position nurses play as well as the wide variety of tasks carried out. Assessments are made during every encounter the nurse has with the patient along with monitoring the patient’s progress. Nurses are responsible for recognizing symptoms the patient may be experiencing due to illness or injury and whether they fall in the spectrum of normal reactions. Vital signs are measured routinely and can be indicators of the patient’s current status. When vitals are questioned diagnostic tests can be arranged to further assess possible comorbidities the patient may have. Care plans are made to plan interventions the health care team can take to help patients through challenges they face, both physical and mental. Nurses administer medications as well as first aid as needed. They are responsible for maintaining special equipment patients may require including monitors and ventilators are well.