CONTEMPORARY IMAGE OF PROFESSIONAL NURSING

Core statement according to Royal College of Nursing 2003 “Nursing is the use of clinical judgment in the provision of care to enable people to improve, maintain, or recover health, to cope with health problems, and to achieve the best possible quality of life, whatever their disease or disability, until death.”

Collegiality Standard of ANA – Scope and Standards of Practice, 2004 Be civil Be ethical Be honest Be the best Be consistent Be a communicator Be accountable Be collaborative Be forgiving Be current Be involved Be a model

Nursing Shortage – Current Scenario Average age of nursing graduate is 33 Average age of RN is 44 Average age of faculty is 50 By 2015, 50% of RNs expected to retire From 2006, job opportunities increased by 21%

TRENDS IN NURSING The Grim Reality Trend#1: Nursing Shortage Trend #2: Disparities in Healthcare Trend #3:Skyrocketing Healthcare Cost Trend#4: Nursing Values Challenged by Managed Care The Brighter Side Trend#5: Expansion of employment opportunities for Nurses Trend #6: Nurses’ role have evolved Trend#7: Nursing and Biomedical Research

Cont… Trend #8: Use of atomic energy for medical diagnosis and treatment Trend#9: Use of more sophisticated equipment for diagnosis and therapy Trend #10: Technology Made Nurses’ Life Easier Trend#11: Advent of Space Medicine Trend#12: Nurses involvement/ impact on politics and health policy Trend #13: Consumerism in Healthcare Trend#14: Emergence of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine Trend#15: Web-based Nursing Degrees

Four document nurses should possess and READ State Nurse Practice Act Nursing’s Social Policy Statement (ANA) The Code of Ethics for Nurses (ANA) Scope and Standards of Clinical Practice (area specific or ANA)

Quality of Nursing Leadership ! Leaders are perceived as knowledgeable, strong, risk- takers who follow a meaningful philosophy that is made explicit in the day-to-day operations of the department & convey a strong sense of advocacy providing staff with an overall positive sense of support ! The nursing director and managers are pivotal to the success of the organization ! The nursing director is critical to the development of a positive nursing situation

Organizational Structure ! The director of nursing is at the executive level of the organization, reporting directly to the chief executive officer ! Decentralized departmental structures allow for a sense of control over the immediate work environment and strong nursing involvement in the committee structure across departments ! With regard to staffing, quality of the staff is as important as the quantity

Management Style ! Participative management style characterized by involvement of staff at all levels ! Participation is sought, encouraged and valued; nursing administration is both visible and accessible ! Communication is a two way process with active listening, direct staff input and ongoing information about what is happening within nursing and the broader organization

Professional Models of Care Quality of Care !The model of care gives the nurse the responsibility and related authority for patient care ! Nurses are accountable for their own practice and are coordinators of care ! The nurses believe themselves to be providing high quality of nursing care to their patients ! Directors of nursing and nursing management are viewed as responsible for developing the environment where such care can flourish

Nurses as Teachers ! Nurses place a high value on education and teaching by nurses, not only their own personal and professional growth, but they value their roles as teachers ! Nurses derive much satisfaction from teaching and it is viewed as an energizing activity ! Teaching is seen as both an expectation in the profession and as an opportunity to practice as a professional

Orientation, inservice, continuing education, formal education and career development ! Magnet facilities have a high emphasis on personnel growth and development; staff development starts w/orientation & is a strong influence on retention, w/ the gradual introduction of work viewed as important ! Access to inservice & continuing education related to the area of practice involved is essential; multiple opportunities exist for clinical advancement that is advancement that is competency based w/specific requirements

Believe in Nursing Valuing Nursing – Only RNs should attend nursing staff meetings – Identify yourself Protect the name of “Nurse” Insist on being addressed as a professional

Creating a New Image Nurses value nursing and image it daily Nurses take themselves seriously and dress the part Nurses recognize the value of caring, health promotion, health teaching, and illness care Nurses believe in themselves and their colleagues