The Issues Influencing Nursing Practice

According to Beauchamp and Childress, the principle of autonomy asserts that a capable and competent individual is free to determine, and to act in accordance with, a self-chosen plan (Beauchamp and Childress as cited in Keating and Smith, 2010). Determining a patient's competence is critical in striking a proper balance between respecting the autonomy of patients who are capable of making informed decisions and protecting those who are not fully capable (Appelbaum, 2007). Tagging children incompetent solely on the basis of their age and not involving them in decision making regarding their health is violation of children's human right. Obtaining consent from parents, rather than children, negates one of the most important principles of medical ethics, which is patient autonomy. Nurses are obligated to promote the health of children by embracing children's right. Nurses' duties which stem out of respect for autonomy include both duties to ensure children's self determination is respected and to refrain from practices that interfere with the children's right of decision making (CARNA,

The nursing practise has continually evolved and can be described as autonomous due to the significant involvement of nurses in patient care. This then necessitates critical reflection as a way to continually develop and improve the nursing practise. The Gibbs' model, one of the reflection models, assists nurses in complying to the codes and guidelines of nursing practice. For example, developing action plans, evaluating patient outcomes, and thinking critically. This essay will describe an event involving nurses and explain the feelings it evoked. It will also provide an evaluation of the positives and negatives, analysis and enhancement of learning, and an action plan.

Besides, if a person lacks mental capacity to give valid consent, nurses caring for such a person should be involved in assessing the treatment to be administered. However, they must be “aware of the legislation regarding mental capacity, ensuring that people who lack capacity remain at the centre of decision making and are fully safeguarded.”6 The Mental Capacity Act (2005) offers assistance regarding ‘capacity’. The Act applies to all aged 16 and above and to those with learning disability, dementia, brain injury, autism and mental health issues.

This essay will discuss and reflect on one of the Principles of Nursing Practice and I will relate this to my practice experience. It will focus on Principle of Nursing Practice A: Dignity, humanity and equality and I will demonstrate knowledge of the Principle of Nursing Practice in my essay and investigate the professional, legal and ethical frameworks that guide nursing practice and discuss and link what I have experienced in practice to my chosen Principle.

In this assignment I will be discussing Adult Nursing and Mental Health Nursing and issues regarding consent. Consent is important within all fields of nursing as it is essential to conduct any medical procedures. The Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Conduct (NMC,2008) states that all healthcare professionals must presume that all patients have the mental capacity to accept or deny medical treatments after being given all information which may be needed. However there may be some instances where consent cannot be obtained. An example of this is if the patient is in a medical emergency and may be unconscious or if the patient lacks the mental capacity to make a knowledgeable choice. In this situation treatment would be

Since the inception of the Nurse Practitioner (NP) role in the 1960s, NPs have thrived in the delivery of primary healthcare and nurse case management. Despite patient satisfaction with NPs ' style of care, nurses have been critical of NPs, while physicians have been threatened by NP encroachment on MD practice. Balancing assessment, diagnosis, and treatment with caring defines NPs ' success as primary care providers. Understand the role and Scope of Practice of NPs is sometimes difficult for some to understand. The purpose of this paper is to define the role and history of NP, compare and contrast licensure versus certifications, understand NP Scope Of Practice and Standards of Care, discuss how the State Practice Acts regulate FNP practice, discuss credentialing and privileging, and differentiate between legislative and regulatory processes.

In the healthcare facility there are many things that can benefit from change. Bedside rounding with the inclusion of the entire care team would be a beneficial change to any healthcare facility. By doing bedside rounding it promotes patient and family involvement in the exchange of information and planning of their care. This also allows for the interdisciplinary team to be completely involved rather than picking up bits and pieces of information throughout the day from multiple different people. This is also a great opportunity for the patient and their family to ask questions with the entire care team available for answers.

This essay will discuss issues that nurses have to consider when caring for a person that either lacks or have compromised capacity. At the same time, the author will explain important terminology in the essay such as the meaning of consent, capacity, best interest, Deprivation of liberty, advanced decisions, risk assessment, including several examples from experience during placement

1. How does describing one’s philosophy of nursing influence a nurse’s practice? What if a nurse has never thought about a philosophy? I believe describing one’s philosophy of nursing influences a nurse’s practice because it gives a nurse an understanding what his or her beliefs and values are based on the foundation of beliefs about people, environment, health, and nursing. Also, it is important to make sure those beliefs are in line with deeply held beliefs.

Nursing is an all encompassing profession in which practitioners are not only proficient in technical medical functionality, they also have the obligation to remain compassionate and respectful of patients and as such are expected to adhere to pre established codes of ethics. Of these ethics, autonomy is of extreme importance as it offers patients a sense of personal authority during a time where they may feel as if their lives, or at the very least their health, is no longer under their control. Autonomy in the context of nursing allocates the patient and often their family with the final word on the course of treatment. The concept of patient autonomy is a highly variable subject in all fields of health care. It is a universal concept that varies widely in its meaning and interpretation. Autonomy in its simplest form can be defined as a state of independence or self governing (Atkins, 2006). Patient autonomy can also be defined as the ability to make once own decisions, based on one’s sound judgment. It is defined by the American Nurses Association (ANA, 2011) as the "agreement to respect another 's right to self determine a course of action; support of independent decision making." This seemingly straight forward ethical concept is rife with difficulties when one considers potential disagreements that may arise even when informed consent is provided, particularly among children or vulnerable people. Relevant research and

1.) What are three steps you can take to influence policy in your community? As a nursing student on the cusp of entering my chosen profession, I am excited at the prospect of finally working within a major hospital to assist patients, but this excitement is tempered by the divisive health care debate currently consuming the country. Rather than simply respond to policy changes affecting my community, I hope to play an active role in developing these policies both in my capacity as a nurse and as a voter. To this end, I diligently monitor the American Nurses Association (ANA) website at www.nursingworld.org to educate myself about candidates in local elections and their stances on issues pertinent to nursing. Another great resource is the ANA's State Government Affairs program, which "monitors over 1,000 nursing and healthcare related bills introduced in state legislatures across the country" (2012), because this tool helps to make me an informed voter. Another great opportunity to influence policy in my own community is to attend city council and hospital board meetings and actively contribute my opinions and ideas. 2.) Do you believe the use of paraprofessionals (non licensed personnel) to assist nurses in medication administration and other duties will affect patient outcomes? Please explain. While every hospital, nursing home and physical therapy center needs a qualified staff of paraprofessionals, a group which includes Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), Nursing

MCA, (2005) Ensuring confidentiality is essential in both fields, where consent is concerned it enables patients to make decisions free from coercion from family and friends. Consent is a fundamental part of nursing and all nurses must gain it before any form of healthcare is carried out on patients. NMC, (2015). All patients have the right to make informed decisions regarding their care and where they lack mental capacity, they still have the right for nurses to make sure they are

Before I, examine, treat or care for a patient, their consent must be obtained. I need to ask myself, do they understand the information given to them, so that they can make an informed decision, about the benefit, risks and alternatives if available, or their consent may not be valid. There are a number of policies that are relevant. Informed Consent Policy. (Local Policy)Mental Capacity Act 2005This act provides a framework to protect vulnerable persons who may not be able to make decisions for themselves.Presumption of Capacity, Being supported to make their own decisions, making decisions to be seen unwise Does not make them incapable.Done on their behalf; consider less restrictive to their rights.Provisions Advance Decision Making.Individuals' can pre plan a decision to refuse treatment should they become incapable in the future. It is a criminal offence to mistreat or neglect a person who lacks capacity.This has been covered whilst being observed.Should I at any time be unable to obtain consent I would raise the issue with my senior nurse. One of the steps that can be used is to have an advocate appointed to support the person who lacks capacity and has no on

contemplates his/ her views, beliefs, values ideologies and opinions as well as those of others in healthcare.

In the medical fraternity, nurses make up the largest healthcare profession. The care of patients depends on the well-being of the nurses, and issues affecting them may affect patients, directly or indirectly. As a profession, nursing, can be both an extremely rewarding and challenging activity. A number of problems exist, and most are becoming worse because of lack of lack of mechanisms to address these issues. The three greatest issues affecting nursing today include improving health education, lack of respect for nurses and cost cutting. Although these problems are not clinical, they influence the efficiency of the performance of nurses in their delivery of services.