Professionalism in Nursing PDF

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This is a short essay on 'Professionalism in Nursing', first year Nursing 2017. ...

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1 Professionalism in Nursing Professionalism in nursing involves responsibility for “determining the standards of nursing practice”. (DeLauine et al., 2016, p. 137). The importance of nursing involves practicing the appropriate codes of conduct, ensuring safe practice, including the demonstration of conducting professional behaviours within the nursing profession and ensuring as a nurse, the health professional performs high standard quality of care in respect of the patient and consideration of their background.

Nurses are trusted to practice their profession appropriately. Working with patients and colleagues, nurses are expected to present themselves in the correct professional manner. According to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), professional conduct refers to “the manner in which a person behaves while acting in a professional capacity.” (NMBA, 2016, p. 1). This is utterly important when demonstrating professionalism in nursing practice. The manner a nurse presents themselves to patients and colleagues can greatly affect the way an individual views the health care professional and their professionalism. Acting in accordance with behaviour is important. Conversely, displaying correct uniform and hygiene practices are significant components to demonstrating the importance of professionalism in nursing, as it demonstrates a sense of professionalism throughout the healthcare setting entirely.

It is essential for nurses to maintain high standard quality of care to all patients, respecting each individual. Demonstrating a sense of respect allows the patient to feel compassion whilst under the care of a nurse. Nurses come into contact daily with individuals of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and cultures. All individuals have rights, and therefore, it is important for nurses to “recognise the human rights of everyone”. (NMBA, 2016, p. 1). Nurses must “respect the dignity, culture, ethnicity, values and beliefs” (NMBA, 2016, p. 1) of all patients under their care, correspondingly their colleagues too. Furthermore, it is important for nurses to consider all patients individually, regarding their necessities; hence nurses are obligated to work in accordance with the respect of each patient and their autonomy of decision-making.

2 Professionalism in Nursing

In the nursing profession, an important component of professionalism is following the code of conduct. Ensuring nurses follow in accordance to the code of conduct leads to the establishment of safe practice within the profession. Whether nurses are demonstrating practice in a “safe and competent manner” (NMBA, 2016, p. 1) , or conducting professional work, nurses sustain trust and privilege between the nurses to patient relationship. The “Hamburger with the lot” (Federation University, 2016) video, demonstrates unprofessional behaviour, disregarding professionalism in nursing. The nurses display a sense of indiscretion towards the patient by demonstrating poor language and attitude during handover. In the nursing profession, it is important for nurses to conduct themselves in a professional manner, comprising communication between nurses about the patient during handover. The relationship between a nurse and patient is important when the patient has slight knowledge about their illness, or is in distress. Importantly, nurses must remain considerate and communicate effectively with those receiving care.

Maintaining professionalism within nursing is important. Patients place their trust under the care of nurses, therefore, nurses must conduct themselves in the correct professional manner. Importance of professionalism involves displaying appropriate behaviour, wearing the correct standard uniform, and maintaining standard hand hygiene practices. Correspondingly, providing high standard quality of care to patients across all backgrounds, cultures and beliefs is an important component for nurses in displaying professionalism. It demonstrates a sense of compassion towards the patients in need. Henceforth, all patients have rights, in which nurses much respect. Ensuring nurses follow accordingly to the code of conduct is vital, it identifies obtaining safe practice in a competent manner, while being considerate of the vulnerable.

3 Professionalism in Nursing Referencing List

DeLaune, S.C., Patricia, K.L., Lauren, M., Joanne, T., & Joanne, L. (2016). Australian and New Zealand Fundamentals of Nursing. South Melbourne, Australia: Delmar, Cengage Learning Australia.

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. (2013). Codes of Ethics for Nurses. Retrieved from http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-

Statements/Professional-standards.aspx

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. (2013). Codes of Professional Conduct for Nurses. Retrieved from http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-

Statements/Professional-standards.aspx

Federation University. [FedUni CLIPP]. (2016, July 25). Hamburger with the lot [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRrpSCWmGgc&feature=youtu.be...