Discuss about the Professional Nursing.
The aim of the essay is to discuss and analyse the given scenario of John Stafford. Additionally, the essay includes the applicable law and legislation that exists in the practice of nursing and in a health care setting. The legislation and codes of practice pertaining to this case scenario is discussed and the implications of acting negligently as a Registered Nurse shall be discussed.
The relevant legislation which is applicable to the given case study isthe Code of Professional Conduct for Nurseswhich came into effect from 7th May, 2013.
The minimum standards which a professional person is expected to maintain in order to sustain the “good standing” of the profession of nursing have been laid down under the Code (Pitt et al., 2013).
According to the provisions laid down under the Code, a safe and competent manner of practice should be followed by the nurses. The standards of the nursing profession and the wider health system must be maintained by the practicing nurses. The relevant laws regarding the practice and profession of nursing have to be followed by the nurses while carrying out their responsibilities.The culture, ethnicity, dignity, values and beliefs of the people,to whom care are exercised by the nurses, have to be respected by the nurses. The personal information obtained by the nurses have to be kept confidential and private. The information of the health care products should be provided by the nurses honestly, accurately and impartially. The wellbeing, health and informed decision making of the people receiving or requiring care must be supported by the nurses. Promotion and preservation of the trust which is inherent in the relationship between the people receiving care and the nurses must be done by the nurses.Adequate conduct should be maintained by the nurses so that the community at large keep the faith and trust in the profession of nursing. Nursing should be practiced ethically and effectively by the nurses (Leufer& Cleary, 2013).
The Code of Professional Conduct for Nurseshelp in the evaluation of the conduct of the nurses (Hunt et al., 2015).
Thus, it is important for the nurses to ensure safety and health of the patients and treat them with support and care. The nurses have a responsibility to provide competent nursing care and maintain professional conduct while carrying out their duties. Therefore, the nurses are required to take that amount of care which is supposed to be taken by a reasonable person under similar circumstances. Safeguarding of individuals and making all possible efforts to save the life of a human being are the most essential responsibilities of the nurses under the provisos laid down under this Code (Mannix et al., 2013).
In the instant case, John Stafford has failed to take reasonable care as has been enshrined under the Code and therefore, he is in violation of the Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses. He was aware of the fact that the patient whom he was treating was under a number of medications. He was administering medication to the patient at breakfast time, when he was interrupted by another staff member. While dispensing duties as a nurse, the professional conduct under the Code requires the nurse to take a reasonable standard of care. The safety and health of the patients should be given maximum priority. But under the circumstances of the instant case, John has failed to show such care and he has not given priority to the health and safety of the patient. The kind of conduct John has shown has jeopardised the faith and trust which the community at large keep in the nursing profession. The patient’s health deteriorated under the care of John and he felt unwell as proper medication was not administered to him on time. Thus, John has clearly not been able to show the conduct as required under the conduct and he has substantially failed to exercise care.Hence, under the light if the circumstances facts of the instant case, John is clearly in violation of the Code of Professional Conduct for Nursesand he should be accountable for the losses suffered by the patient.
This section discusses about the standard of care which is ought to be taken by nurses while dispensing their professional responsibilities. Such standard has been set by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council. The Council first adopted national competency standards for registered nurses in the year 1990. The standards that are set in the national competency standard for nurses assess performance of the nurse and depending on their performance, the registration as a registered nurse is obtained (Australian Nursing & Midwifery Council, 2008b). The competencies standards that nurses have to follow are:Professional Practice, Critical Thinking and Analysis,Coordination of care and Therapeutic Practice.
This section discusses about the professional practice and standard of care which are ought to be taken by a nurse in the light of the given case study. Professional practice means legal and ethical responsibilities that require demonstration and knowledge in the field of nursing. As a registered nurse, one should perform the nursing intervention in accordance with the proper standards of practice (Australian Nursing & Midwifery Council, 2008a). A registered nurse removes doubts of other members in the team relating to the aspects of care practicing nursing. Additionally, as a registered nurse one should practice within ethical and professional framework of code of conduct and integrate the health care knowledge appropriately. Thus, in the given case study as well, John should have acted within the standard of care that was specified to him under the Council of nurses. He failed to act within the scope of standard of care, infringing his duty of acting with care towards patients (Australian Nursing & Midwifery Council, 2008b).
This section discusses about the importance of responding immediately to situations which arise due to a mistake committed by a nurse. In the profession of nursing, it is important that registered nurses act within their scope of practice. The scope of practice of a registered nurse means that nurses act within the prescribed procedures, actions and processes that are permitted to commence in keeping with the terms of their professional license. While nurses provide range of interventions to patients, the focus of registered nurses is specific (McDonald, 2010). According to National Competency standard for registered nurse, nurses need to practice in accordance with relevant legislation affecting nursing practice and fulfil their duty without causing harm (“Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia – Guidelines”, 2016). Thus, it may be said that is important to act within the scope of practice as it allows nurses to act in accordance with the legislation affecting the practice of nursing and accept accountability for the actions of the nurses. Furthermore, it also helps nurses to promote safe and efficient care and keeps them aware of the intervention that may be needed in any health care setting. Moreover, it also allows assessment of effective care and provides an evaluation of effective health care. Thus, if nurses act within their scope of practice it shall lead to professional development of the nurses and others working under them as enrolled nurses (Park, 2012).
The profession of nursing is regarded as the most trusted profession. Nurses have a feeling of duty to safe, preserve life, and provide care. According to competency standard of nursing practice, ethical nursing framework involves ensuring that nurses recognize the right of patients and seek assistance to resolve conflicts in clinical setting (“Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia – Guidelines”, 2016). Ethically, most nurses have the feeling of providing sufficient care to their patients. Thus, it is important that as a nurse one should respond immediately to emergencies (Queensland Government, 2012). When nurses choose to respond immediately, it means that they are serious about their professional practice and are concerned about the lives of the patients more than their profession. This situation is the most pertinent at the time when nurses make mistakes themselves. At such times, it becomes important that nurses act in a way that helps the patients in overcoming the given situation instead of escaping a given scenario. If nurses respond accurately to any given situation, it may save the life of a patient especially when there is no other option available for the patient. Moreover, nurses are expected to use their standard of care in such situations. If a situation has taken place wherein the nurse herself has made the mistake, she should accept her mistake and provide immediate intervention to the patient. The profession of nursing is accompanied with extra caution and extra care (Queensland Nursing Council, 2008). Thus, nurses should act respond immediately in an emergency, even if they are the cause for the particular scenario that has taken place.
In the instant case, wrong medication was administered to the patient due to which the patient’s health deteriorated. His blood pressure became low and he was feeling unwell. The primary responsibility of John in this situation would be to respond immediately and take adequate steps to improve the health of the patient.
Conclusion:
Thus, conclusively, it may be held that the case is a reflection of complex legal and ethical issue that has the likelihood of arising in a hospital or a health care setting. As a registered nurse, one should understand the framework, laws, legislation and codes that guide the practice of nursing and are aware of the laws that allow them in making correct decisions.
References:
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Australian Nursing & Midwifery Council. (2008a). Code of Ethics for Nurses in Australia. Dickson, ACT: Author. Retrieved from
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