Nursing Today: Key Terms (Vocabulary)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on Nursing Today and Professional Nursing.

Nursing

The art and science of caring that aims to protect, promote, and optimize health; prevent illness; facilitate healing; and alleviate suffering, with compassionate presence and advocacy.

Art in Nursing

The compassionate, respectful, and dignified aspect of nursing practice toward clients and families.

Science in Nursing

The evolving body of nursing knowledge guiding practice.

Nursing as a Profession

A field characterized by extended education, a body of specialized knowledge, a defined service, professional autonomy, and a Code of Ethics.

Benner’s Novice to Expert

A model describing how nurses progress from novice to expert: novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient, and expert.

Novice

A beginning nursing student with no clinical experience.

Advanced Beginner

A nurse with some level of clinical experience but limited competence.

Competent

Nurse who has been in the same clinical position for 2–3 years and can anticipate care.

Proficient

Nurse with more than 2–3 years in the same position; focuses on managing care rather than on developing skills.

What is Nursing?

The integration of the art and science of caring, focusing on health promotion, illness prevention, healing, and alleviation of suffering, plus advocacy and response to human needs (ANA, 2021).

Scope of Practice (ANA)

Authoritative statements about the duties all Registered Nurses are expected to competently perform.

Standards of Professional Performance

Describe the competent level of behavior in the professional nursing role.

Six Standards of Practice (Nursing Process)

The six steps of nursing care: Assessment, Diagnosis, Outcomes Identification, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation.

Assessment

Systematic collection of data to determine a patient’s health status.

Diagnosis

Clinical judgment about a patient’s health problems based on data analysis.

Outcomes Identification

Defining measurable, expected patient outcomes.

Planning

Developing a care plan and strategies to achieve outcomes.

Implementation

Executing the planned nursing interventions to deliver care.

Evaluation

Determining whether outcomes have been achieved and adjusting care as needed.

Quality of Practice

The degree to which nursing practice improves client outcomes and care quality.

Collegiality

Professional interaction that supports peers’ development and growth.

Evidence-Based Practice

Integrating the best available evidence and research findings into practice.

Education

Knowledge and competency attainment reflecting current nursing practice.

Collaboration

Working with patients, families, and other professionals to provide care.

Communication

Effective exchange of information with patients, families, and teams.

Resource Utilization

Using safety, effectiveness, and cost-conscious approaches in planning and delivering care.

Professional Practice Evaluation

Assessment against professional standards, guidelines, statutes, and regulations.

Ethics

The integration of ethical principles in all areas of practice.

Leadership

Providing leadership within the practice setting and the nursing profession.

Environmental Health

Safe practice that promotes environmental safety and health in care delivery.

Code of Ethics

Philosophical ideals of right and wrong guiding nursing care; outlines professional obligations; should vs must.

Professional Responsibilities and Roles

Autonomy and Accountability; includes roles: Caregiver, Advocate, Educator, Communicator, and Manager.

Autonomy

The ability to make independent clinical decisions with accountability for those decisions.

Accountability

Responsibility for one’s actions and outcomes in practice.

Caregiver

Nurse who provides direct, compassionate care to individuals.

Advocate

Nurse who supports patients’ rights and preferences.

Educator

Nurse who teaches patients, families, and colleagues; promotes health literacy.

Communicator

Nurse who effectively exchanges information with patients and the care team.

Manager

Nurse who coordinates, delegates, and manages resources to deliver safe care.

ASN

Associate of Science in Nursing; a 2-year nursing degree in the United States.