Professionalism PP

Concept Definition of Professionalism

  • Definition: Professionalism is accountability for delivery of standard-based care consistent with:

    • Moral principles

    • Altruism

    • Legal principles

    • Ethical principles

    • Regulatory principles

    • Humanistic principles

  • Incorporates:

    • Advocacy: Speaking for others to assist in meeting their needs. Can involve interceding with healthcare professionals on behalf of patients/families. (Giddens, 2021)

    • Ethics: The study of morality; involves recognizing problems, reflecting, analyzing, and making decisions with moral courage. (Giddens, 2021)

    • Legal: A collection of laws impacting healthcare delivery. (Giddens, 2021)

    • Health Policy: Goal-directed decision-making about health from authorized processes. (Giddens, 2021)

  • Professional identity is influenced by nursing characteristics, norms, and values, leading to the sense of self as a nurse. (Giddens, 2021)

Historical Influence of Nursing

  • Florence Nightingale (1820-1910):

    • Pioneered correlation between infection and unclean conditions during the Crimean War.

    • Emphasized careful data collection via notes and charts, illustrating cleanliness impact on health.

    • Advocated reporting data to authorities for change, forming a basis for modern infection control.

    • Recognized the connection of calming fears and instilling hope for healing.

Pathways to Registered Nursing

  • Options for Education:

    • Two-year Associate Degree Nursing Program

    • Three-year Diploma Program

    • Four-year Bachelor of Science Degree Program

  • Nursing education encompasses various programs and experiences to meet diverse learner needs for safe practice.

  • All registered nursing students take the NCLEX-RN board exam for entry-level practice.

Responsibilities of Nurses

  • Nurses care for whole person:

    • Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

    • Advocacy for appropriate care and fulfilling client needs and concerns.

Respect in Nursing

  • Must respect individual differences, treating all clients with integrity, honesty, and compassion.

  • Discrimination can lead to unmet health care needs due to lack of support.

Engagement in Nursing

  • Nurses are expected to engage in:

    • Advocacy

    • Counseling

    • Change management

    • Communication

    • Collaboration

    • Compassion

    • Honesty

    • Integrity

Standards of Professional Practice

  • Establish expectations for professional behavior to protect the nurse, client, and facility.

  • Hold nurses accountable for ethical conduct and adherence to a code of conduct.

American Nurses Association (ANA)

  • ANA: Established standards for nursing practice and professional performance, including Standards of Nursing Practice and Standards of Professional Performance.

State Nurse Practice Acts (NPAs)

  • Regulate nursing within each state and territory.

  • Executed by state boards of nursing to define conditions for nursing licensure and title definitions (RN, LPN, etc.).

  • Determine scope and standards of practice.

Regulation of Nursing Education

  • Nursing education programs must meet state NPA standards for accreditation.

  • Accreditation through organizations such as ACEN or CCNE.

Quality and Safety Education for Nursing (QSEN)

  • Focus on improving quality and safety in nursing.

  • Identified six competencies:

    • Patient-centered care

    • Teamwork and collaboration

    • Evidence-based practice (EBP)

    • Quality improvement (QI)

    • Safety

    • Informatics

Nursing Licensure

  • All states require licensing for professional nurses to protect clients.

  • Periodic renewal is necessary to maintain practice rights.

  • The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows multistate practice with one license.

Professionalism Overview

  • Defined by core values, ethical principles, and regulatory guidelines.

  • Commitment to integrity, honesty, and unselfish devotion to the welfare of others.

Ethical Standards

  • Nursing consistently rated highest in ethical standards among professions.

Unprofessionalism

  • Conduct that does not adhere to practice standards or code of ethics.

  • Misconduct is viewed as harmful to the profession's reputation.

From Novice to Expert

  • Stages of expertise in nursing:

    • Novice: Beginner, little experience.

    • Advanced Beginner: Basic skills, needs mentoring.

    • Competent: Decision-making and responsible practice.

    • Proficient: Advanced skills, knowledge, flexibility.

    • Expert: Deep knowledge, leads others, multitasks effectively.

Professional Identity

  • Influenced by values, beliefs, and attributes of nursing.

  • Self-image and accountability are crucial.

Accountability in Nursing

  • Legal obligation; moral commitment to ethical actions and ownership of decisions and actions.

Responsibility in Nursing

  • Obligation to perform duties with sound judgment; reliability and persistence are key.

Chain of Command

  • Hierarchical structure indicating lines of authority for problem-solving and oversight within organizations.

Understanding Health Policy

  • Policy addresses healthcare issues, including nursing roles and quality healthcare access.

Health Policy Definition

  • An action taken in response to an issue, both as a product and the process to address it.

Health Policy and Nursing Practice

  • Regulated by health policy for consumer protection; requires education, licensure, and adherence to ethical standards.

ANA Code of Ethics

  • Establishes ethical standards for nursing, with nine provisions defining practice and professionalism.

Staffing Laws by States

  • Approaches include nurse-driven staffing committees, minimum nurse-to-patient ratios, and public reporting of staffing levels.

Organizational Policies and Procedures

  • Ensure care standards meet accreditation requirements and promote safety.

  • Should be current, accessible, and reviewed annually for continued relevance.

Key Components of Policies

  • Must contain:

    • Purpose statements

    • Policy statements

    • Required equipment

    • Procedure steps

    • Monitoring and documentation needs.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

  • Ensures health insurance coverage portability and establishes national standards for electronic health transactions.

HIPAA Privacy Rule

  • Protects identifiable health information and outlines disclosure requirements for certain situations.

Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA)

  • Prevents "patient dumping" by ensuring emergency care regardless of payment ability or insurance status.

Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA)

  • Requires healthcare organizations to inform clients about their right to make healthcare decisions and refuse treatment.