Self Assessment of Nursing Standards



Self-Assessment of Nursing Standards of Practice

Tracie Strand

Ferris State University

NURS 440

Abstract

This paper will serve as an analysis and evaluation of the author’s current practice as it relates to the standards of nursing practice established by the American Nurses Association. By assessing personal standings one can make a professional development plan to maintain competency in these standards. The paper will lead its reader through the analysis of standards of practice and the author’s perceived nursing performance. Specific goals for attaining and maintaining each of the standards are identified. Finally, an action plan that provides brief and measurable parts to reflect each goal will then be addressed.

Self-Assessment of Nursing Standards of Practice

In preparing to further her nursing career, the author has examined her current practices in relation to the American Nurses Association’s Standards of Practice. In reviewing this paper, the reader will become familiar with the ways in which the author feels she is meeting each of the standards. The author will also discuss her strengths and weaknesses within her practice. The reader will become aware of the goals which the author has set for her future. Timelines and measures of success will also be discussed.

Standards of Practice

Standard 1: Assessment

The author is currently employed as an Infection Preventionist at Mclaren HealthCare Corporation. The assessment standard of professional nursing practice is met each time the author reviews patient data in order to determine proper placement either into or out of isolation. A comprehensive assessment of patient information is necessary to be certain that proper isolation procedures are taking place. Patient and caregiver safety are also considered. The patient data which is reviewed may include physician notes, labs, physical findings, and past medical history. As a registered nurse, it is imperative to “collect comprehensive data pertinent to the healthcare consumers’ health and/or the situation” (ANA, 2010, p. 32). The Infection Preventionist is responsible to protect the patient, staff, and visitors by analyzing patient data and following policies based on findings.

Standard 2: Diagnosis

Analyzing assessment data and proper documentation is crucial in the nurses’ role. Microbiology cultures are reviewed immediately and isolation precautions are enforced based on the authors’ impression of the labs. According to The American Nurses Association, (ANA) “the registered nurse analyzes the assessment data to determine the diagnosis or the issues” (ANA, 2010, p. 34). It is imperative that the nurse is proficient in the computer system which is used for documenting changes in a patient’s condition. Knowing where to look for information in a timely manner is not only crucial to patient safety, but also the protection of the caregivers and other patients on a unit. If isolation precautions are not followed and it is not brought to the attention of the author either by staff communication or lab result findings, infection may spread at a rapid rate.

Standard 3: Outcome Identification

Identifying outcomes are imperative in the author’s position. Limiting hospital acquired infections are crucial and a priority in the nurses organization. If a patient is diagnosed with an illness or condition which should have called for isolation and proper isolation did not take place, the author has a responsibility to identify infections which potentially resulted related to the lack isolation. This causes a snowball effect as a result, because insurance companies will not pay for infections that the hospital acquired. Education and in-services are conducted as needed and annually as required.

Standard 4: Planning

As an Infection Preventionist, the author does not develop a plan of care for each patient encountered. However, the author works closely with emergency preparedness in the development of an emergency plan of care in the event of an outbreak or epidemic. The author also follows a daily plan to achieve the weekly reporting requirements that are required of her. The author follows a chain of command when an incident occurs. Cooperation from all areas of the organization is required for isolation precautions to be managed effectively.

Standard 5: Implementation

Standard 5A: Coordination of Care

Coordination of care occurs continually in the author’s daily work. The author works closely with all staff members and family by providing education and resources to help them understand the illness. Communicating with the staff caring for these patients is a top priority in an attempt to prevent infection and promote safe outcomes. The author also chairs a monthly infection control meeting to discuss recent surgical site infections, multi-disease resistant organisms, and hospital acquired infections.

Standard 5B: Health Teaching and Health Promotion

Teaching and the promotion of good health is of the utmost importance in the author’s daily work. For example, when a patient is identified as having Clostridium Difficile (C-DIFF), both the patient and their family members must receive teaching related to the importance of proper cleaning techniques prior to the patient being discharged. This is necessary because if the patient’s environment is not properly cleaned, the infection may re-occur and infect the next patient, employee, or visitor. It is also important for others within the environment to know how to contain the organism and prevent the spread of infection. Similarly, healthcare staff is educated on a regular basis regarding ways in which to prevent the spread of infection and promote good health. An example of this is educating staff to use soap and water for hand washing with the positive C-DIFF patient rather than alcohol based sanitizer as it does not kill the spores of the bacteria. The author has also instructed staff to cover the hand sanitizer machines with surgical caps or hang a red stop sign on the dispenser to prevent the use of ineffective hand hygiene.

Standard 5C: Consultation

The author will defer this section of the implementation standard as it applies to Graduate Prepared Specialty or Advanced Practice Nurses. 

Standard 5D: Prescriptive Authority and Treatment

The author will also defer this section of the implementation standard as it applies to Advance Practice Nurses.

Standard 6: Evaluation

According to the ANA code of ethics standard six states, the registered nurse, “evaluates progress toward attainment of outcomes” (2010, p.45). The author currently evaluates progress toward the attainment of outcomes by rounding on each unit and assessing whether or not proper isolation procedures are taking place. Each morning the author evaluates every patient that has been admitted to the facility and whether or not isolation procedures are necessary. The author then conducts daily rounds to ensure the proper precautions are being followed. Evaluation is of the utmost importance in maintaining the safety of staff and patients. It is challenging working behind the scenes and being in a position of compliance in regards to staff. The author works diligently to protect staff, patients, and community.

Professional Development

In her current position, the author feels as though she is meeting each of the standards as set forth by the American Nurses Association. Competency is maintained by attending training sessions which are sponsored by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control [APIC] and the Michigan Society for Infection Prevention and Control [MSIPC]. In each of these educational forums, a group of peers gather to discuss the latest trends in infection prevention and are able to discuss individual struggles that they may be experiencing. Solutions to problems are discussed based on what the best practice guidelines are and according to how other facilities are handling similar situations. The author also collaborates with local health departments in the monitoring and reporting of infectious disease and also serves as a member of the Michigan Health Alert Network. .

Action Plan

The author recognizes that developing a plan in writing is essential when planning personal, academic, and professional goals. Short term goals will have a 5 year range and will include:

▪ Graduate of the Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree from FSU (Spring 2014)

▪ Certification by the board of infection control [CBIC] (Spring 2015)

▪ Completion of the Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a focus nursing education.(Fall 2019)

Long term goals will be evaluated in a 10 year range and will include:

▪ Teaching nursing at the college level

▪ Continue to remain up to date with certifications

Evaluation Plan

The author is able to continually evaluate progress toward maintaining patient safety by consistently evaluating isolation procedures and tracking infections as they occur in order to determine the cause. The author will continue to strive for certification following successful completion of the BSN program. Success will be determined on completion of certificate. Academically, the author has been named to the Deans List every semester and maintains a 3.8 grade point average. The author has recently applied for the Masters of Science in Nursing at Ferris State University for the fall of 2014, but is also exploring other colleges.

Conclusion

In striving to meet professional goals, it is vital to evaluate the current nursing process and dissect areas that are in need of improvements. It is beneficial for the author to highlight her strengths and weaknesses and develop a professional career plan. The Standards of Professional Nursing Practice is a useful tool in the evaluation of the author’s performance. For a nurse to stay competent in the field, continual self-assessment and learning is needed. Using the nursing process to assess, plan, implement and evaluate career goals helps to ensure goals are specific, measurable, realistic, and achievable within a defined time frame (Yoder-Wise, 2011). The author feels confident that her motivation and passion in the field of nursing will serve as an asset when achieving goals.

References

American Nurses Association (2010). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice (2nd Edition). Silver Springs, MD.

Ferris State University Standards of Professional Nursing Practice. (2013).

Yoder-Wise, P. S. (2011). Leading and managing in nursing. St.Louis, MO: Mosby. ISBN-9780-323-06977-9.

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