What are the foundations of nursing practice?
Nursing is a noble profession that requires a solid foundation of nursing knowledge and practice to ensure the safe delivery of high-quality care. It’s grounded on the core principles and standards of nursing practice.
The basis of nursing practice encompasses multiple essential elements of holistic care. It involves a comprehensive understanding of human anatomy and physiology along with the study of different illnesses and their treatment modalities.
The foundation of nursing practice also includes a deep knowledge of medicines, their administration, and possible side effects.
Furthermore, the nursing practice isn’t limited to only the medical aspect; it also emphasizes the significance of effective communication expertise to construct rapport and trust with patients.
A significant portion of nursing practice is also about the understanding of psychological and social aspects of a patient’s health and well-being.
Additionally, nursing practice is about maintaining ethical standards and clinging to legal principles in delivering care to patients. The basis of nursing practice also involves continuing education and up-to-date knowledge to stay aware of advancements in the healthcare sector.
What are the principles of nursing practice?
The principles of nursing include delivering holistic care, maintaining patient-centeredness promoting patient safety, engaging in evidence-based practice, and advocating for the well-being of individuals and communities.
Nurses are guided by these principles in all aspects of their practice, from assessing and diagnosing patients to planning and applying interventions.
1. Holistic care
Holistic care is an essential aspect of the basis of nursing practice. It emphasizes the significance of considering the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients.
By taking a holistic approach, nurses can deliver comprehensive and personalized care that addresses all aspects of a patient’s well-being. This approach recognizes that each person is unique and requires personalized care to achieve optimal health outcomes.
2. Patient-centeredness
Patient-centeredness is another crucial principle of the basis of nursing practice. It involves actively involving patients in their care and considering their preferences, values, and beliefs.
By putting patients at the center of their care, nurses can enhance the quality of their interactions and upgrade patient satisfaction and engagement. Patient-centered care also promotes a cooperative approach between nurses and patients, leading to better health outcomes.
3. Patient safety
Promoting patient safety is a critical aspect of the basis of nursing practice. Nurses have a responsibility to ensure that patients are safeguarded from injury and that their well-being is prioritized.
This includes preventing medication errors, maintaining infection control measures, and applying fall prevention strategies. By promoting patient safety, nurses contribute to the overall quality and effectiveness of healthcare delivery.
4. Evidence-based practice
Engaging in evidence-based practice is another essential element of the basis of nursing practice. This involves integrating the best available research evidence with clinical skills and patient values for decision-making and healthcare delivery.
Nurses need to stay up-to-date with current research findings and use this knowledge to deliver the most effective interventions and treatments for their patients.
5. Advocating for the well-being of patients
Advocating for the well-being of individuals and communities is also a pivotal aspect of the basis of nursing practice. Nurses must speak up for those who cannot advocate for themselves and address social determinants of health that can impact individuals and communities.
By supporting impartial access to healthcare services, promoting health education, and addressing social inequalities, nurses can contribute to refining health outcomes on a larger scale.
What are the professional standards of nursing?
Professional nursing standards form the foundation of nursing practice. These standards define the expectations and responsibilities of nurses and ensure the delivery of safe and effective care.
They encompass a wide range of areas, including ethics, competence communication, and collaboration. By adhering to professional nursing standards, nurses uphold the highest level of quality care and professionalism, ultimately benefiting patient outcomes.
Standards of care in nursing serve as a benchmark for delivering safe and effective care. These standards outline the expectations and responsibilities of nurses in various practice settings. They provide guidelines for assessing planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care.
Standards of care also address ethical considerations and the legal obligations of nurses. By adhering to these standards, nurses ensure that their practice meets the highest level of quality and professionalism.
Following are the standards of nursing practice.
1. Promoting health and wellness
Promoting health and wellness is a fundamental aspect of nursing practice. Nurses play a crucial role in educating individuals, families, and communities about healthy lifestyle choices, disease prevention, and self-care management.
By promoting health and wellness, nurses empower individuals to take control of their health, reduce the risk of illness, and enhance their overall well-being.
This proactive approach to healthcare not only improves individual outcomes but also contributes to the overall health of communities. The promotion of health and wellness is a crucial aspect of our society today.
With the rise in chronic diseases and lifestyle-related illnesses, it is imperative to focus on preventive measures and encourage individuals to adopt healthy habits.
The following approaches are important in the promotion of health and wellness.
a. Education and Awareness
One way to do this is through education and awareness campaigns that highlight the importance of regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and stress management.
By providing people with the necessary knowledge and tools, we can empower them to take control of their health and make informed decisions.
b. Creating supportive environment
Additionally, creating supportive environments, such as workplace wellness programs or community centers can further promote a healthy lifestyle by providing resources and opportunities for individuals to engage in physical activities and access nutritious options.
c. Collaboration between healthcare professionals
Lastly, collaboration between healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the private sector is essential in implementing effective strategies and policies that promote health and wellness on a larger scale. By working together, we can create a society that prioritizes prevention and fosters a culture of health and well-being.
2. Restoring health
Restoring health is a primary goal of nursing practice. Nurses employ a holistic approach to caring and addressing physical, emotional, and psychosocial aspects of health.
Key elements in nursing practice for restoring health include assessing patient needs, developing individualized care plans, implementing evidence-based interventions, and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions.
Nurses play a pivotal role in helping patients gain their health and well-being. By focusing on the following steps, nurses assist patients in achieving optimal functioning and independence.
a. Understanding of medical conditions
Restoring health requires nurses to have a deep understanding of various medical conditions, treatment plans, and interventions. By utilizing their knowledge and skills, nurses strive to restore health and improve the quality of life for their patients.
b. Collaboration
Nurses collaborate with other healthcare professionals to develop comprehensive care plans that address the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of patients.
c. Strategies and interventions
In the process of restoring health, nurses employ various strategies and interventions. They administer medications, perform treatments, and monitor vital signs to ensure patients are responding positively to the interventions.
d. Patient Education
Nurses also provide education and support to patients and their families, empowering them to actively participate in their healthcare journey. Additionally, nurses advocate for their patients by communicating their needs and concerns to the healthcare.
They also play a crucial role in community health promotion and disease prevention by educating the people. Nurses educate the public on healthy lifestyle choices, preventive measures, and early detection of illnesses.
By actively engaging with the community, nurses contribute to restoring health at a population level. Through their expertise and dedication, nurses make a significant impact on the restoration of health in individuals and communities alike.
3. Preventing illness: strategies and approaches
- Vaccination
- Health education
- Health screening
- Identifying risk factors
- Promoting a healthy lifestyle
Preventing illness is an essential aspect of nursing practice. Nurses engage in health promotion activities, like vaccinations, health screenings, and health education programs, to prevent the onset of diseases.
They also identify risk factors and execute preventative measures to reduce the probability of illness. By diligently partaking in illness prevention nurses contribute to the overall well-being of individuals and communities.
Nurses play a vital role in educating patients and applying strategies to prevent the onset of various diseases. By promoting healthy lifestyle choices, such as proper nutrition, regular exercise, and good sleep, nurses can help individuals reduce their threat of illness.
Also, nurses administer vaccinations and give information on the significance of immunizations to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Through their skills and guidance, nurses can empower patients to take control of their health and make informed decisions that promote the prevention of illness.
**Read more: Understanding the Types of Nursing Educational Programs A Comprehensive Guide-2023
4. Caring for the dying: Palliative and end-of-life care
Nurses provide the end of life care through:
- Management of chronic and acute pain
- Management of symptoms
- Ensuring comfort
- Ensuring dignity
- Emotional support
- Spiritual support
- Empathy
Caring for the dying is a sensitive and critical aspect of nursing practice. Nurses provide compassionate care to patients and their families during the end-of-life journey.
They focus on managing pain and symptoms, ensuring comfort and dignity, and supporting emotional and spiritual needs. Palliative and end-of-life care requires specialized knowledge and skills, as well as empathy and sensitivity. Through their care, nurses help individuals experience a peaceful and dignified transition.
End-of-life care is a specific aspect of palliative care that comes into play when the patient is nearing the end of their life. It prioritizes comfort, dignity, and quality of life over lengthening life through aggressive treatments.
Open communication about prognosis, potential treatments, and patient preferences is a cornerstone of effective end-of-life care. This form of care is not only beneficial to patients but also provides support and guidance to their families during this challenging period.
Palliative care can be offered alongside curative treatments to alleviate side effects and improve the patient’s comfort. As an interdisciplinary effort, it involves doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other healthcare professionals working together to provide holistic care that respects the patient’s wishes and values.
Developing a solid basis of nursing practice
To develop a solid basis for nursing practice, nurses must continually strive for professional growth and development. This includes staying updated with the latest evidence-based practices, pursuing advanced education and certifications, and engaging in lifelong learning.
By investing in their professional development, nurses enhance their knowledge and skills enabling them to provide the highest level of care to their patients.
Knowledge is essential in developing a solid basis for nursing practice. Nurses should have a deep understanding of human anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology to effectively diagnose and treat patients.
Furthermore, they need to be familiar with various nursing models and theories that guide their practice.
Skills are another key component in developing a solid basis for nursing practice. These include technical skills such as administering medication and performing procedures, as well as soft skills like communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
Nurses must also have the ability to adapt to different situations to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
Values and attitudes are equally important in developing a solid basis for nursing practice. They shape the way nurses interact with patients and other healthcare professionals. Nurses should demonstrate empathy, respect, integrity, and professionalism at all times.
Lastly, the use of evidence-based practices is fundamental in developing a solid basis for nursing practice. This approach involves using the best available research evidence, combined with clinical expertise and patient values to make informed decisions about patient care.
** Read about: ANCC Magnet Recognition Program: Constructive 1 platform for all nurses
Understanding the scope of nursing practice
To understand the scope of nursing practice, it is essential to recognize the diverse roles and responsibilities of nurses. Nurses play a critical role in health settings including hospitals, clinics, and community care centers.
They provide direct patient care, administer medications, educate patients and families, advocate for patient rights, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals.
By understanding their scope of practice, nurses can effectively contribute to the overall healthcare system and improve patient outcomes.
The scope of nursing practice refers to the range of responsibilities and activities that nurses are educated trained and authorized to perform.
It encompasses the actions and interventions that nurses can undertake to promote, maintain, and restore health as well as prevent illness and provide end-of-life care.
The scope of nursing practice is guided by professional nursing standards which ensure that nurses adhere to a set of guidelines and regulations in delivering care.
The role of Registered Nurses in the scope of nursing practice
Registered nurses (RNs) play a vital role in the scope of nursing practice. They possess advanced education and training, allowing them to assume leadership positions and take on additional responsibilities.
RNs are responsible for coordinating and managing patient care, collaborating with healthcare teams, and advocating for patients’ rights and needs. This includes communicating effectively with doctors, pharmacists, and other members of the healthcare team to ensure that the patient’s needs are met.
Registered nurses also have administrative roles such as managing healthcare resources, supervising nursing staff, and participating in health policy development. Furthermore, it often requires them to be advocates for their patients.
They play a vital role in safeguarding the rights of patients, including ensuring informed consent for treatment, maintaining patient confidentiality, and protecting patients from harm.
Conclusion: constructing a solid basis for nursing practice
Structuring a solid basis for nursing practice involves recognizing the significance of professional nursing standards, understanding the breadth of nursing practice and, continually seeking personal and professional growth.
By learning the essential principles of nursing practice, nurses can deliver exceptional care and make a positive difference in the lives of their patients.
Understanding the compass of nursing practice, adhering to professional nursing ethics, and continuously unfolding knowledge and skills are crucial elements for constructing a solid basis for nursing practice. By doing so, nurses can make a significant impact on patient outcomes and contribute to the advancement of health.
Eventually, the basis of nursing practice encompasses several core principles that guide nurses in delivering quality care. These principles include holistic care, patient-centeredness, patient safety, evidence-based practice, and advocacy.
By clinging to these principles, nurses can ensure that they’re delivering comprehensive and personalized care that promotes the well-being of their patients and communities.
References:
- F;, C. B. A. L. (n.d.). Investigation: Basis for nursing practice. EDTNA/ERCA journal (English ed.). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12603069/
- Critical elements: Fresno City College. Critical Elements | Fresno City College. (n.d.). https://www.fresnocitycollege.edu/academics/divisions/apa-division/registered-nursing/handbook/basic-standards-for-safe-nursing-practice.html
- Berman, A., Kozier, B., Erb, G. L., Snyder, S., Levett-Jones, T., Dwyer, T., Hales, M., Harvey, N., Langtree, T., Moxham, L., Parker, B., Reid-Searl, K., & Stanley, D. (2018). Kozier and Erb’s fundamentals of nursing: Concepts, process and Practice. Pearson Australia.
- DeLaune, S. C., & Ladner, P. K. (2002). Fundamentals of Nursing: Standards & Practice. Delmar/Thomson Learning.