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Course: Fundamentals of Nursing�Topic: Role of the Professional Nurse Population

The Nurses International Community

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COPYRIGHT

NI Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

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Module Goals

Learners will be able to:

Define the term “Nurse”
Identify nursing as a profession
List the roles of the professional nurse
Explain what it means to have an identity as a nurse
Describe the function of nursing associations

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What is your definition of a ‘Nurse’?

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Definition of ‘Nurse’

‘The unique function of nurses in caring for individuals, sick or well, is to assess their responses to their health status and to assist them in the performance of those activities contributing to health or recovery or to dignified death that they would perform unaided if they had the necessary strength, will, or knowledge and to do this in such a way as to help them gain full or partial independence as rapidly as possible

(Henderson, 1977, p.4).’

International Council of Nurses[ICN], n.d.

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Definition of the term ‘Nurse’

International Council of Nurses (n.d.a) defined nurse in 1987, ‘Nurse is a person who has completed a program of basic, generalized nursing education and is authorized by the appropriate regulatory authority to practice nursing in his/her country.’

The nurse is a term that refers to graduates of a specific program of study that prepares them to practice at different levels of responsibility

(ie. Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse, Nurse practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist)

About 59% of the total health professionals in 172 countries. (State of the world's nursing…, 2020)

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Which are true about the definition of a nurse? (Select all that apply)

Nursing is primarily involved in caring for the ill and promoting health, not primarily in the dying process
Nurses are permitted to practice only under the authority of a regulatory agency.
Nurses represent the majority of health care workers world wide
All nurses practice at the same level of responsibility

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Profession

Occupation

College or University
Prolonged education
Mental creativity
Decisions based on science or theory
Strong commitment
Values, beliefs & ethics essential part of preparation
Autonomous
Individual accountability
Is represented by a professional Association
Has its own body knowledge

Cherie et al., 2005

On the job training
Length of training varies
Largely manual work
Guided decision making
Commitments may vary
Values, beliefs & ethics are not part of preparation
Supervised
Employer is primarily accountable

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Nurse as a Professional

Requires specialized academic knowledge and skills
Regulated by recognized authority of a professional organization
Governed by code of ethics and standards of practice.
Responsibility and accountability to one’s own practice
Opportunity for continuous professional growth and economic security
Strong commitment and dedication required

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Nurse as a Professional

For the last 18 years, the public rated nurses highest in ethics and honesty compared to other professions including medical doctors, pharmacists, engineers, dentists, police officers, lawyers etc. in America.

Reinhart, 2020

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What do you think-

Is nursing a profession or an occupation?

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Role of Professional Nurse

‘The nurse is prepared and authorized

(1) to engage in the general scope of nursing practice, including the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and care of physically ill, mentally ill, and disabled people of all ages and in all health care and other community settings;

(2) to carry out health care teaching;

(3) to participate fully as a member of the healthcare team;

(4) to supervise and train nursing and health care auxiliaries;

and (5) to be involved in research.’ (ICN, 1987)

ICN website, n.d.a

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Role of Professional Nurse

Health Care Provider
Team Coordinator
Educator
Client Advocate
Change Agent
Leader
Manager
Researcher

Cherie et al., 2005

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Role of the Professional Nurse:

Healthcare Provider

Identify client health problems and needs

Vigilant about physical, mental, and cultural health care needs of the clients.

Provide preventive, curative, and palliative care to the client

Administer prescribed medications safely
Provide hygiene care as required.
Provide emotional support and comfort to the client.

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Role of the Professional Nurse:

Team Coordinator

An indispensable member of multidisciplinary team

Apart from the client, nurse, physician/doctor a multidisciplinary team may also include physiotherapist, psychologist, dietician, lab technician, social worker, etc.

Co-ordinates the client care through accurate and efficient communications between the client care team members

The Nurse is the glue that holds the multidisciplinary team together!

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Role of the Professional Nurse:

Educator/Counsellor

Client education/counselling is a significant part of nurses responsibility.
Nurses provide client education/counselling to:

Prevent medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, communicable diseases, etc
Decrease possibility of complications
Empower clients to be independent/self-sufficient

Nurse to client education/counselling starts upon admission to a facility and continues until discharge and beyond.
Educator/counsellor in the hospital, outpatient clinic, and in the community.

Arkansas State University website, 2018

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Role of the Professional Nurse:

Client Advocate

Client advocacy is a vital part of nurse’s responsibility
The nurse support clients and act in their best interest
The nurse act as client advocate by:

Protecting client’s right
Helping client make informed decisions
Ensuring client safety
Identifying gaps in client care
Helping clients identify resources that support their well-being

Nitzky, 2018

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Role of the Professional Nurse: Manager

The nurse is a manager
The nurse manages:

Client care activities at bedside
Nursing staff and their practices in a specific unit as unit managers
Health care delivery system as Nurse Administrators/Hospital administrators
Nursing profession through participation in nursing council/associations

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Role of the Professional Nurse: Researcher

Client care practices must be evidence based which entails continuous research
The nurse as a frontline health care provider, has an important part to play in research that is designed to improve client care
The nurse plays the role of a researcher by identifying research areas, implementing research protocols, and sharing the results within the healthcare community

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Role of the Professional Nurse: Change Agent

Change agents at Bedside

Update and normalizes evolving evidence based practices
Improves health care delivery at rural areas through evidence based practices
Role models good practice to influence practices of student nurses

Change agents at organizational level as managers/administrators

Makes guidelines/policies that enable nurses to provide best client care
Create working environment that foster best client care practices
Role model ethical and practice standards to influence nurses

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Role of Professional Nurse: Change Agent

Change agents at government level researchers/advocators/policy makers

Nurse researchers identify best health care practices and disseminate/advocate the findings
Nurse administrators/leaders/advocators/policy makers exchange dialogue with the public and politicians and other stakeholders to promote safe health care delivery system and practices

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Role of the Professional Nurse: Leader

Role of a leader is inherent in the professional nurse
Every nurse is a leader in their own right and in their areas of nursing practice
Nurses are required to have leadership skills in order to safeguard individual, family, and community health

The nurse needs to be a leader to become change agent!

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What do you think

Discuss the roles of a nurse professional

apart from giving medications and hygiene care….

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To have an Identity of a Nurse Means….

Nurse is a professional with specialized academic knowledge and skills
Is responsible and accountable to one’s own practice
Is Caring and committed to best interests of clients/public health
Leads and advocates for client/public health practices and safety
And works autonomously within the scope of their practice

“Though often working collaboratively, nursing does not assist medicine or other fields. Nursing operates independently of, not auxiliary to, medicine and other disciplines”

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2019

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List 5 attribute criteria that contribute to the identity of a nurse.

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Role of the Nurses Association

United voice for nurses in political arena on local, state and national level.
Developing and disseminating foundation documents pertaining to nursing practice.
Lobbying for legislation and regulations that protect and serve users of nursing services.
Advocating for issues that promote nurse's ability to deliver safe care.
Support nurses in continued professional development through continuing education, certification opportunities, role-related competencies and educational conferences.

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Role of the Nurse Associations: ANA

American Nurses Associations (ANA) advances nursing profession by

Fostering high standards of nursing practice
Promoting a safe and ethical work environment;
Bolstering the health and wellness of nurses; and
Advocating on health care issues that affect nurses and the public

(American Nurses Association, n.d.)

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Role of Nurse Associations: ANMF

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) works with its members to

Improve its members ability to deliver safe and best practice care across different settings
fulfil its members professional goals and achieve healthy work/life balance
Defend and advance its professions
Strengthen the contribution of nursing and midwifery to improving health of national and global communities

ANMF, n.d.

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Role of Nurse Associations: RCN

Royal College of Nursing (RCN)

Represent the professional interests of nursing staff working in public, private, and voluntary sectors.
Negotiates pay, terms and condition for its members as well as provides free, confidential advice and support on employment matters, career development, immigration, welfare and more.
Lobby governments and other bodies across the UK to develop, influence, and implement policy that improves the quality of client care.
Promote and engage in nursing research

RCN, n.d.

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Role of Nurse Associations: NAN

Nurses Association of Nepal (NAN)

Determined to provide quality nursing service to people in order to protect and promote the professional rights & interests of all nurses of Nepal
Committed to unite all nursing professionals under one roof and provide continuous support for professional development and quality of nursing service

NAN, n.d.

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Do you have nurses association in your country/state?

What are its activities?

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Red Flag

Important reminder: All nurses should be sure to maintain licensing requirements with the appropriate credentialing agency and practice within their scope of practice.

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Cultural Considerations

Nursing may be perceived by the public and other professions differently in varying cultures.

Nurses are highly regarded and compensated in some cultures. In other cultures they are not regarded as highly or compensated as well.

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References

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2019, April 1). Nursing fact sheet. https://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/Fact-Sheets/Nursing-Fact-Sheet

American Nurses Association. (n.d.). About ANA. Retrieved on September 24, 2021 from https://www.nursingworld.org/ana/about-ana/

Arkansas State University website, (2018, March 22). The Nurse’s Role in Patient Education. https://degree.astate.edu/articles/nursing/nurses-role-patient-education.aspx

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation. (n.d.). About us.. Retrieved on September 24, 2021 from https://www.anhttps://www.nursingassoc.org.np/pages/objectives-strategiesmf.org.au/pages/about-the-anmf

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References

Cherie, A., Mekonen, A.H., & Shimselse, T. (2005). Lecture notes for nursing students : Introduction to professional nursing and ethics. Addis Ababa University. https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/health/ephti/library/lecture_notes/nursing_students/LN_Intro_Prof_Nsg_final.pdf

International Council of Nursing. (n.d.a) Nursing Definitions. Retrieved on September 24, 2021 from https://www.icn.ch/nursing-policy/nursing-definitions

Nursing Association of Nepal. (n.d.). Objectives. Retrieved on September 24, 2021 from https://www.nursingassoc.org.np/pages/objectives-strategies

Nitzky, A. (2018, August 30). Six Ways Nurses Can Advocate, For Patient. Oncology Nursing News. https://www.oncnursingnews.com/contributor/alene-nitzky/2018/08/six-ways-nurses-can-advocate-for-patients

Contact info: info@nursesinternational.org

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References

Reinhart, R.J. (2020, January 6). Nurses Continue to Rate Highest in Honesty, Ethics. GALLUP. https://news.gallup.com/poll/274673/nurses-continue-rate-highest-honesty-ethics.aspx

Royal College of Nursing. (n.d.). What the RCN does. Retrieved from September 24, 2021 from https://www.rcn.org.uk/about-us/what-the-rcn-does

State of the world's nursing 2020: Investing in education, jobs and leadership [PDF]. (2020) World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstreams/1274201/retriev e

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