Professional Accountability, Standards of Practice, Professional Development.
Introduction
Standards of practice and professional accountability are inextricably woven together. Standards describe the "what and how" of delivering nursing care. Professional accountability is creating the standards, meeting those standards, holding peers to the standards, and revising the standards when needed.
As your e-text describes "Standards of practice are the "what" and describe a competent level of nursing care. Standards ofprofessional performance are the "how" of nursing (Cresaia & Friberg, 2010). The ANA's Scope and Standards of Clinical Nursing Practice (2004) describe both the "what" and "how" of professional nursing. This document outlines nine specific standards that describe the level of competence required in the role of the professional nurse (American Nurses Association, 2004).
The model in your e-text that depicts professionalism provides a graphic display of all the essential elements which nurses need to include in their practice to support professional development. The ANA's Code of Ethics for Nurses (2001) makes it clear that nurses are accountable for their judgments and actions independent of hospitals, physicians, or other health care organizations. Nurses are accountable for themselves to the patient, the public, other health care team members, and members of the nursing profession.
Standards of practice are developed and found in professional specialty nursing organizations, education institutions, state boards of nursing, and other government regulatory bodies. When working to determine the standard of care in various situations, all of these entities might have information about the standard of care.
Professional development is the sum total of the activities displayed in the model. By completing your BSN you are working in the center of the