Module 3M: Professional Responsibilities and Roles of a Nurse

Profession

An organization of an occupational group based on the application of special knowledge which establishes its own rules and standards for the protection of the public and the professionals. attuned and responsive to local and global challenges.

Professional Nursing

Is an art and a science, dominated by an ideal of service in which certain principles are applied in the skillful care of the well and the ill, and through relationship with the client/patient, significant others, and other members of the health team.

Professional Nurse

Is an individual who has acquired the art and science of nursing through her basic education, who interprets her role in nursing in terms of the social ends for which it exists – the health and welfare of society and who continues to add her knowledge, skills and attitudes through continuing education and scientific inquiry (research) or the use of the results of such inquiry.

Legal Requirements to Work as a Nurse in the Ph

• a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Nursing

• must pass the Nurses’ Licensure Examination conducted by the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) to acquire the PRC license (current).

Focus of a Nurse

• diagnosis and treatment of the person with the disease (Nursing diagnosis)

• responses of the patient

  • pain due to medical condition

  • depression due to a diagnosis of terminal illness

Autonomy

Refers to the ability to act according to one’s knowledge and judgment, providing nursing care within the full scope of practice as defined by existing professional, regulatory, and organizational rules.

Accountability

It means that the nurse is responsible, professionally and legally, for the type and quality of nursing care provided.

Professional Accountability

Defined by the American Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics as being “ANSWERABLE TO ONESELF AND OTHERS FOR ONE’S OWN ACTIONS.”

Giver of Care

• the nurse helps the client regain health through the healing process.

• the nurse addresses the holistic health care needs of the client including measures to restore emotional, spiritual and social well-being.

• helps the clients and families set goals and meet those goals with minimal cost of time and energy.

Leader or Manager

• the nurse through the process of interpersonal influence helps the client make decisions in establishing and achieving goals to improve his well-being

• the nurse plans, gives directions, develops staff, monitors operations, gives rewards fairly, and represents both staff members and administration as needed.

• delegates nursing activities to ancillary workers and other nurses and supervises and evaluates performance.

Four Pillars of Accountability

1. professional

2. ethical

3. lawful

4. employment/contractual.

Researcher

The nurse participates in scientific investigation and uses research findings in practice for the promotion of health.

Advocate

• assistance in the clients’ human and

  legal rights.

• the nurse also defends the clients’ rights in a general way by speaking out against policies and/or actions that might endanger their wellbeing or conflict with their rights.

Educator

• the nurse explains to clients concepts and

  facts about health.

• the nurse uses teaching methods that match the client’s capabilities and incorporates other resources such as the family in teaching plans.

Change Agent

The nurse initiates change and assists the clients make modifications in the lifestyle to promote health.

Counselor

• helps the client recognize and cope with stressful psychological or social problems.

• the role includes providing emotional, intellectual and psychologic support.

Clinician

• GOAL: provide direct patient care in hospital, clinic or another healthcare setting

• FOCUS: restorative and curative

• Job duties include preparing charts, providing direct patient care, communicating with other medical staff, and making sure treatment is administered correctly

Advanced Practice Nurses (APN)

• The most independent functioning nurse.

• Has master’s degree in nursing, advanced education in pharmacology and physical assessment as well as certification and expertise in a specialized area of practice.

• May practice in primary, acute or restorative care settings.

Clinical Nurse Specialist (APN-CNS)

• An APN with nursing expertise in a specialized area of practice and may work in any practice setting.

• Functions as: expert clinician, educator, case manager, consultant, researcher.

Nurse Practitioner (APN-NP)

• Provides health care for clients, usually in and outpatient, ambulatory or community-based setting.

• Provides care to clients with complex problems providing a more holistic approach, attending to the symptoms of non-pathologic conditions, comfort and comprehensiveness of care.

Adult Nurse Practitioner

• provides primary care to adults with non-emergent acute or chronic illness and in some tertiary care settings.

• they work collaboratively with one or more primary care physicians.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

• provides care to infants and children.

• they practice in hospitals, ambulatory care, emergency care and physician’s offices

Acute Nurse Practitioner

• functions in collaboration with a physician or house staff physician in acute health care settings, such as hospital or specialty clinic.

• they are generalist, usually based in internal medicine, focusing on the care of hospitalized patients.

Geriatric Nurse Practitioner

• specialized on caring for older adults.

• they are trained in special needs of the aging adult, with emphasis on health promotion, health maintenance and functional status.

• works with the client and family to manage existing health problems to promote independence.

Certified Nurse Midwife

• RNs who are also educated in midwifery

• the practice of nurse-midwifery involves providing independent care for women during normal pregnancy, labor and delivery as well as care of newborn.

• practices with a health care agency that provides medical consultation, collaborative management and referral

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

They are RNs who has received advanced training in an accredited program in anesthesiology.

Nurse Educator

• Works primarily in a school of nursing, staff development and departments of health care agencies and client education departments.

• requires experience in clinical practice to provide them with practical skills and theoretical knowledge.

• the primary focus is to teach ill or disable clients and their families how to provide care in the home.

Nursing Administrator

• Manages client care and the delivery of specific nursing services within a health care agency.

• begins with positions such as the charge nurse or assistant nurse managers.

• experience and additional education may lead to middle-management positions such as nurse manager of a specific patient care area or director of the nursing service.

Supervisory or Manegerial Positions

• Must possess a degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing with at least nine (9) units in management and administration course at the graduate level

• Must be a member of good standing of the accredited professional organizations of nurses.

Chief Nurse or Director of Nursing Service

• Must have at least five (5) years of experience in a supervisory or managerial position in nursing

• Must have a master’s degree major in nursing