The American Nurses Association’s Scope and Standards of Practice describes how registered nurses use the nursing process as the foundation for decision-making. Base your response on the ANA Standards of Professional Practice Nursing: Scope and standards of practice (You must be logged in to the College library to access this resource)
Initial Discussion Post:
- Choose one of the six (6) ANA Standards of Practice and describe how the practice of an RN is different from your current role in healthcare
- Discuss an example from your experience (as patient, family or professional) where an RN demonstrated one of the competencies from the ANA Standard of Practice.
Base your initial post on your readings and research of this topic. Your initial post must contain a minimum of 250 words. References, citations, and repeating the question do not count towards the 250 word minimum.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) Scope and Standards of Practice, registered nurses (RNs) are guided by the nursing process as the foundation for decision-making. This process allows for systematic assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care. In this assignment, we will discuss one of the ANA Standards of Practice and reflect on how the practice of an RN differs from the current role in healthcare. Additionally, we will provide an example where an RN demonstrated one of the competencies from the ANA Standard of Practice.
Answer:
One of the ANA Standards of Practice that I have chosen to discuss is “Standard 4: Communication.” As a medical professional in my current role, I primarily interact with patients, their families, and the healthcare team, focusing on delivering medical care based on predetermined treatment plans. However, as an RN, the practice encompasses a broader scope of communication skills and responsibilities.
As an RN, effective communication is crucial to collaborate with other healthcare professionals and ensure the continuity of care. RNs often serve as intermediaries between patients and other members of the healthcare team, including physicians, specialists, and therapists. They act as advocates for patients by effectively conveying important patient information, concerns, and preferences to the appropriate individuals. This may involve coordinating and facilitating interdisciplinary meetings to discuss and modify treatment plans based on patient needs or changes in the clinical condition.
An example from my experience where an RN demonstrated competency in communication is when I observed a patient undergoing a complex surgical procedure. The RN who was responsible for the patient’s care regularly updated the patient’s family about the progress and provided them with emotional support. The RN effectively communicated with the surgical team to ensure that any critical information regarding the patient’s condition was relayed promptly. This continuous communication helped alleviate the family’s anxiety and fostered a sense of trust.
In conclusion, the ANA Standard of Practice, specifically related to communication, showcases the distinct role and responsibilities of RNs compared to my current role in healthcare. RNs not only interact closely with patients but also excel in effective communication among healthcare professionals and patients’ families. The example provided highlights the competence of an RN in effectively communicating critical information, addressing patients’ emotional needs, and fostering collaboration among the healthcare team.
