...account of nursing in the Muslim world was noted at the Qayrawan Hospital in Tunisia (Syed, 1993). For most people, Florence Nightingale is known as the first person truly recognized worldwide as a nurse. She based her belief in nursing as the act of placing the human body in the best condition possible to heal and be nurtured. She saw caring and respect for human beings as a universal need regardless of their status in society (Nightingale, 1859). Yet nursing often has a difficult relationship with society due to its social status and lack of professional identity. The situation is further complicated by the fact that there is a severe worldwide shortage of nurses and midwives in countries where the status of nurses is low and the burden of disease is growing daily (WHO, 2006). The lack of nurses within many societies makes understanding of their value and contributions much more difficult as they are not truly able to practise professional nursing. The International Council of Nurses (ICN), a federation of national nurses associations representing nurses in more than 128 counties, recognizes that nursing must create a professional identity within each culture in order to truly meet their social responsibility. ICN’s (2007) vision is to lead societies towards better health and that all nurses should “harness the knowledge and enthusiasm of the entire nursing profession to promote healthy lifestyles, healthy workplaces, and healthy communities”. By doing so nursing will foster the...
Words: 1711 - Pages: 7
...profession is an integral part of the health care environment, the nursing ethics provides the insight to the values and ethical principles governing nursing practice, conduct, and relationships. The Code of Ethics for Nurses, adopted by the American Nurses' Association (ANA) is intended to provide definite standards of practice and conduct that are essential to the ethical discharge of the nurse's responsibility (American Nurses Association, 2012). A nurse cultivates personal ethics through personal, cultural and spiritual values which becomes a moral compass for their professional ethics. Personal ethics in combination with the code of ethics often assist the nurses in personal and social decision making during ethical dilemma. This ability prompts them to better respond to needs of the suffering patient and their own well-being. This paper will discuss the personal, cultural, and spiritual values contributing to nurses’ individual worldview and philosophy of nursing and the moral and ethical dilemma being faced in this profession. Values Contributing to Individual’s Worldview and Philosophy of Nursing Born in a Christian middle class South Indian family, the strict traditional values helped to embed the concept of service, trust, respect, integrity and responsibility through family, friends, education and beliefs. The personal and spiritual belief on the remarks, “Do to others as you would have them do to you”, from the New International Version of Bible has kindled the concept...
Words: 1982 - Pages: 8
...Becoming a qualified nurse Rob Burton and Graham Ormrod The aims of this chapter are: P To explore the expectations of a newly qualified nurse P To highlight the experiences of newly qualified nurses P To discuss the roles of the nurse in different fields of nursing P To provide an overview of the structure and rationale of the book Introduction: how this book can help you to become a qualified nurse Becoming a qualified nurse is quite an achievement. After three or four years of education involving academic and practice experiences, entering the nursing register of whichever field of nursing you qualify in is something to be proud of. The hard work pays off and you are able to become a professional in your own right. This does bring with it some challenges as well as rewards. You may now find that there are different expectations of you, and a set of roles and responsibilities that are different from those experienced as a student under supervision. The aim of this book is to explore and develop important aspects of the roles and responsibilities of the qualified nurse in order to develop your understanding and prepare you to successfully make the transition from student nurse to registered professional. It can also be used as a resource for those who may already be qualified and registered, but are looking for helpful advice and are wishing to continue their professional development. The roles and responsibilities of a qualified nurse include essential professional...
Words: 8494 - Pages: 34
...the roles and responsibilities of personnel in relation to infection prevention and control in a health or social care setting In every Health and social care setting, each person has a certain responsibility. Each care worker should be responsible for their own actions with regard to protecting themselves and others from infection. Throughout this essay I will be discussing the roles and responsibilities of care and non-care workers, managers and specialist personnel. In every work place there should be policies set in place. These policies come from the law and make reference to the standard that is legally required in a health and social care setting. These include Fire Escape plans, Health and Safety policies and Infection Control policies. It is the managers responsibility to provide relevant policies to the workplace such as the ones listed above, update these policies regularly, and make these policies accessible to staff. The procedures set in place are a step by step guide which shows the staff exactly what should be done. For example disposal of sharps and a fire procedure which is pictured below. It is all of the staff’s responsibility to know where the policies are, understand them and be able to follow the procedures. It is also necessary for all staff to follow basic hygiene rules such as washing hands appropriately and regularly using the 6 step hand washing technique which is pictured below. It is also the Care staff, for example nurses’ duty to report...
Words: 949 - Pages: 4
...on the other hand, never dreamt of being a princess; I have always wanted to be a nurse. The idea of helping people or saving someone’s life every day sounds like the perfect job for me, but I realize that with reward comes responsibility. If I make a mistake on the job, I can’t just restart or erase the problem. Someone dies. This is why it is essential that someone going into this field is passionate about their patients and the work they do. Although nurses have a stressful job, the FOCUS assessments have made me realize just how well my personality fits with a career as a Registered Nurse. The primary job responsibility of a Registered Nurse is caring for patients. Nurses are required to assess and record a patients’ signs and symptoms, work with medical staff to come to a diagnosis, and then treat the patient. These tasks require nurses to possess effective communication and problem solving skills. Most importantly, these health care professionals need to be able to make quick and logical decisions. The cons of the job are the long work hours, risk of...
Words: 630 - Pages: 3
...about the practices of the profession, many nurses take care of their patients according to their medical knowledge, norms, and ethics. In this essay, I will discuss the history and culture of nursing as well as the beliefs, values, and behaviors of nurses and how they are viewed in society. The history of professional nursing began with...
Words: 1309 - Pages: 6
...reviewed concerning the decisions and responsibilities of the nurse in the case of Marianne who has had a stroke and the decisions that the family is facing for treatment or end of life care. The legal and ethical issues in a malpractice case that occurred several years ago and the responsibility of the nurse to her employer, the nurse being sued, the client in question, and the institution’s client will be reviewed. The areas that will be reviewed include how the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics would influence a final decision in each case study, how personal and societal values can influence the ethical decision making, the fundamental legal aspects of each case study, and the legal responsibility of the nurse in the work setting. The ANA code of Ethics must be followed in practice and is an especially useful tool when there are difficult legal and ethical issues that arise in nursing practice. In the example of the malpractice case for negligence, as a witness to questionable practice, it is the nurse’s primary responsibility to protect the safety of the patient. Although the nurse was correct in reporting the episode to administration, she also had a duty to counsel the nurse about the inappropriate standard of care. The ANA is clear that when a nurse is aware of questionable practice the person must be confronted with the concern ("Code Of Ethics for Nurses With Interpretive Statements", 2010). Furthermore, if the nurse was asked at if she had witnessed additional...
Words: 1444 - Pages: 6
...Legal Issues Faced with ethical and legal decisions on a daily basis, nurses must at times make some pretty tough decisions including how to proceed with care for an incapacitated patient with no advanced directive or how to proceed when called upon to testify against a current employer. The American Nurses Association Code of Nursing Ethics is one of the main tools available for the nurse to utilize when it comes to making these tough decisions. The nurse may apply personal values as well as societal values to these cases in order to come to a sound, ethical decision. The legal aspects of each of these cases can have a profound effect on the continuing career of the nurse, a thorough evaluation is necessary to protect all involved. Finally, the nurse also carries a legal responsibility to her profession, workplace, patients, and self. Ethical and legal decision-making are complex but after a thorough assessment, the nurse can continue to make an ethically and legally sound judgment on how to proceed. Influence of the ANA Code of Nursing Ethics The ANA Code of Nursing Ethics is the first reference when deciding how to proceed with an incapacitated patient who has no advanced directive or how a nurse should react when called upon to testify against an employer in a negligence or malpractice case. This code, designed to assist the nurse in maintaining his or her ethical integrity as well as protect the nurse and patient during ethical dilemmas, is the foundation for ethical decision...
Words: 1176 - Pages: 5
...A Comparative View of the Associate and the Baccalaureate Prepared Nurse A Comparative View of the Associate and the Baccalaureate Prepared Nurse Universities began establishing baccalaureate-level nursing programs in the 1950’s, awarding graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. In 1951, Mildred Montag proposed the innovative idea of a 2-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program at the community college level to remedy the severe nursing shortage following World War II. Nursing faculty regarded ADN nurses as competent in basic nursing practice as they demonstrated the ability to pass state nursing licensing examinations. This commenced the national ADN educational movement followed by public confusion regarding the credentialing requirements and competencies of a professional nurse (Creasia & Friberg, 2011). Over the past 40 years, the entry-level education and qualifications for nursing have been widely debated by the medical community (Institute of Medicine, 2011, p. 169). This essay serves to provide a comparative view of registered nurses prepared at the associate and baccalaureate levels, detailing the specific competencies of each. According to the Institute of Medicine, the ADN “prepares nurses to provide direct patient care and practice within the legal scope of professional nursing responsibilities in a variety of health care settings” (2011, p. 44). This includes the utilization of critical thinking in patient assessment and...
Words: 1135 - Pages: 5
...Code of Ethics for Nurses in Australia Developed under the auspices of Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council, Australian College of Nursing, Australian Nursing Federation Introduction This Code of Ethics for Nurses in Australia has been developed for the nursing profession in Australia. It is relevant to all nurses at all levels and areas of practice including those encompassing clinical, management,education and research 1 domains. This Code is framed by the principles and standards set forth in the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; the World Health Organization’s Constitution and publication series entitled Health and Human Rights; and the United Nations Development Programme Human Development Report 2 2004: Cultural liberty in today’s diverse world. In considering this Code and its companion, the Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses in Australia, it should be borne in mind that they are designed for multiple audiences: nurses; nursing students; people requiring or receiving nursing care; the community generally; employers of nurses; nursing regulatory authorities; and consumer protection agencies. It is also noteworthy that the concepts of ‘ethics’ and ‘morality’ are substantially the same and have been used interchangeably throughout this Code. This Code outlines the nursing profession’s commitment to respect, promote, protect...
Words: 7529 - Pages: 31
...profession is very complex. Every day nurses deal with patients and medical care. There are some days when ethics and legal issues play a role. We were given examples of the legal complexities of nursing through two case studies we were to evaluate. For this paper we will discuss the legal responsibilities of nursing, how personal and societal values can influence ethical decision-making and how the ANA’s Code of Nursing Ethics would influence the final decisions. Legal Responsibilities of Nurses Nursing boards are governmental state agencies responsible for regulating the nursing practice. A nursing license obtained through state nursing boards validates that nurses have met standards for providing high quality care. Nurses are legally held accountable for administering medications accurately, educating patients and public on health issues, advocating for the patient regarding health care, and serving as a liaison between the patient and the physician. Professional standards are determined by Standards of Practice Acts and the American Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics. As professionals, nurses must also be familiar with ethical responsibilities and protect the rights of their patients and families. As the definition of liability has continued to expand through the judicial system, courts of laws have placed higher standards on the profession of nursing. Many times professional nurses are faced with litigations against facilities...
Words: 1410 - Pages: 6
...Nurses today face many ethical dilemmas in the delivery of patient care. What can or should be done for the patient versus the wishes of the patient’s physician conflicting with the personal beliefs the nurse holds to be true. The client’s wishes may conflict with the institutional policies, physician professional opinion, the client’s family desires, or even the laws of the state. According to the nursing code of ethics, the nurse’s first allegiance is to the client (Blais & Hayes, 2011, pg. 60). The ethical ideals of each nurse must be weighed with the laws of the state along with providing the most ethical care for the patient. The advancements in medical technology make it possible to sustain a patient life where previously there was no hope of recovery. These advancements have put nurses in the forefront of decision making begging the question “just because we can, should we” to be answered. Nurses need to understand the legalities involved with these new technologies to practice safely and effectively. Scientific achievements have opened new ground for nursing exploration. In response to the need for nursing input into social and legal issues, nurses now find career opportunities as forensic nurses, legal nurse consultants, and nurse-attorneys (Blais & Hayes, 2011, pg. 75). This paper will explore the ethical and legal issues encountered by nurses in two case studies. The American Nurses Association Code of Nursing Ethics could influence a final decision in each case study...
Words: 1423 - Pages: 6
...Nurses How did they get their job? • Nurses must have a degree in nursing, in order to achieve the degree, they must go to university and do a nursing course. • They will have needed to get 5 GCSE’s at grade A*-C (including English language or literature and a science subject), plus two A levels or equivalent (NHS careers 1014) to get into university. • Once they have the nursing degree, they will be registered with the nursing and midwifery council which enables them to practice. (NHS careers 1014) • Once they have successfully completed their degree and registered with the NMC they can apply for nursing posts. With some experience, they can look to develop their career further, which may mean further study/training. (NHS careers 2014) Here is an example of entry requirements for nursing at York University. A levels - BBB Please note we no longer accept General Studies or Critical Thinking as a subject choice. Two A levels are preferred from the academic subject list. GCSE’s You must already hold GCSE English, Maths and Science (at Grade C or above) or equivalent qualification at the point of application. Applicants undertaking GCSE resits or commencing an equivalent qualification after application will not be considered. You must hold these qualifications at the time of applying unless they are incorporated within your programme of study, for instance Access programmes and BTECs. BTEC BTEC National Diploma - DDM QCF BTEC Extended Diploma - DDM BTEC National...
Words: 516 - Pages: 3
...staff to carry out the duties of the corporation in accordance with the established standard of conduct (Showalter, 2007). Corporate negligence is evident in this case in regard to the failure to ensure that sufficient healthcare personnel were available to provide the established standard of care to the patients in the facility. Moreover, the personnel that were required to remain at the hospital from the day shift were likely not performing at their peak after already working their own shift; which could result in errors in patient care. The nurse managers should have been proactive and had a plan in place in the event of severe weather such as forming a team of healthcare personnel who were willing to come to work at the beginning of the storm and stay until they could be relieved. This team should consist of a variety of personnel in sufficient numbers to allow for some personnel to rest while others work. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the hospital to ensure proper personnel coverage regardless of the circumstances. Policies and procedures for handling this type of crisis must be in place and utilized as needed. The second legal consideration in this case is vicarious liability (respondeat superior). In this case a patient died as a result of be administered the wrong medication and several patients were injured from falling out of bed. The hospital could be held vicariously liable for the act or failure to act on the part of its employee. It is clear that the incorrect...
Words: 2042 - Pages: 9
...Differences in Competencies between nurses at ADN vs BSN level in nursing Nurses comprise the largest profession in the health care industry. There are more than 3 million registered nurses in the United States. According to surveys, 50% of the RN workforce has a baccalaureate degree, 36.1% of nurses hold an associate degree, and 13.9% have a diploma in nursing (AACN fact sheet). The associate degree of nursing (ADN) actually began due to a shortage of nursing in the 1950’s. The ADN programs also allowed for more diverse groups of people to become nurses. Students who may not have been able to choose nursing were able to do so, people including men, married women that had children, and older undergraduates. Whether a nurse holds an associate degree of nursing (ADN) or a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) their scope of practice is still the same. The difference can be found in their skills of delivering quality patient care. A baccalaureate nurse possess a higher level of skills in leadership, critical thinking, and in overall health promotion. A BSN prepares the nurse for a role not only at the bedside, but in all health care settings. They are taught to have a higher understanding of patient care both with the inpatient and outpatient settings. That is why most management positions require a BSN. Opportunities in advancement come with advanced education. A BSN is also a prerequisite in obtaining a master’s degree or even becoming a nurse practitioner. A BSN allows opportunities...
Words: 752 - Pages: 4
