Nursing Fundamentals Notes

Building Your Future in Nursing

Envisioning a future as a confident and skilled healthcare provider requires active participation and consistent effort throughout the nursing program.

The Language of Nursing

Nursing is a profession with its own language. Using medical terminology is essential for gaining respect and effectively communicating within the healthcare environment. For example, using "stool" instead of "poop" and "ambulating" instead of "walking in the hallway."

The Art of Caring

The humanistic, compassionate aspect of nursing practice involves emotional intelligence, intuition, and interpersonal skills, recognizing each patient's unique story and providing care without personal bias.

Critical Thinking and Clinical Reasoning

Nursing is not about memorization; it's about applying knowledge to critical situations through assessment and analysis to determine the appropriate course of action. Critical thinking and prioritization are key.

Thinking Like a Nurse

Adopting a nursing mindset involves analyzing situations through a healthcare lens, which can sometimes lead to unexpected or even embarrassing moments in public. Be mindful of applying critical thinking appropriately.

Developing Your Nursing Identity

Your nursing identity is a personal and professional sense of self, shaped by values, beliefs, and goals related to your role in healthcare. It evolves over time and is influenced by ethics, spirituality, and personal experiences.

Nursing as a Small Community

The nursing profession is a closely-knit community where reputation matters. Maintaining a consistent and positive reputation is crucial as you progress in your career.

Nursing: A Trusted Profession

Nursing is the most trusted and respected profession, held to high standards of ethical and legal conduct. Violations, such as drinking and driving, can result in license revocation.

Definition of Nursing

According to the American Nursing Association, nursing involves the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through diagnosis and treatment, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, and communities.

Nursing: Art and Science

Nursing combines scientific knowledge (medications, physiology) with the art of caring (empathy and compassion).

Nursing as a Profession

Nursing is a profession with licensure requirements, standards of practice, and an ethical code of conduct, ensuring safe, ethical, and high-quality care.

Thinking Skills in Nursing

Critical thinking in nursing involves reflective thinking, analyzing information, and carefully considering options. Clinical judgment includes recognizing cues, prioritizing hypotheses, generating solutions, taking action, and evaluating outcomes.

History of Nursing

Florence Nightingale is the founder of modern nursing, revolutionizing healthcare through standards and evidence-based practice, emphasizing cleanliness and asepsis.

Victorian Era and Feminization of Nursing

The Victorian era saw nursing become associated with traditional feminine virtues, influenced by Florence Nightingale. Discrimination limited opportunities to white women only.

Social Justice in Nursing

Social justice is a vital part of nursing, promoting fairness, equity, and human rights in healthcare. Nurses address social, economic, and environmental factors affecting health.

Impact of Epidemics and Feminist Movement

Epidemics like flu, AIDS, and Ebola have profoundly shaped nursing practice, while the feminist movement has influenced nursing identity, role, education, and advocacy.

Autonomy and Accountability

Nurses are autonomous and accountable for their actions, responsible for assessing patients and addressing their needs. Integrity is crucial, as actions may not always be directly observed.

Caregiving and Advocacy

Caring is essential for nurses, showing empathy and being present for patients. Nurses advocate for patients, educate them, and communicate effectively.

Roles of a Nurse

Nurses act as communicators, managers, and leaders, constantly learning and adapting. They also consume and apply evidence-based practice.

Demographic Changes in Nursing

Diversity in nursing is crucial. Nursing demographics should mirror the populations they serve, especially vulnerable groups facing social, economic, and environmental disadvantages.

Evidence-Based Practice

Evidence-based practice is fundamental to modern nursing, ensuring care is grounded in research and best practices to improve patient outcomes. Practices evolve with new research.

Quality and Safety

Quality and safety are emphasized to ensure patient satisfaction, which directly impacts hospital reimbursement. Measures like hourly rounds are implemented to enhance care quality.

Emerging Technologies

Emerging technologies, like electronic health records, improve accuracy and protect both nurses and hospitals. Genetics are also increasingly relevant in understanding and treating diseases.

Public Perception, Health Policy, and Legal Aspects

Public perception of nursing is currently positive due to their role in COVID-19. Nurses must adhere to legal and ethical standards, including licensure and compliance with the Nurse Practice Act.

Professional Organizations and Continuing Education

Joining professional organizations like the American Nurses Association and participating in continuing education are essential for career advancement. Continuing education involves completing 30 units every two years to maintain licensure.

Advancement in the Profession

Advancement in the profession includes pursuing further education, such as becoming a nurse practitioner or certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), alongside continuous learning and professional development.