1. Introduction to nursing practice

2. A definition of nursing According to the American Nurses Association, “Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities and populations.”

3. What does it take to be a nurse? Knowledge- biology, chemistry, math, psychologyKnowledge- biology, chemistry, math, psychology Skill- ability to start IV’s, insert catheters, take blood pressuresSkill- ability to start IV’s, insert catheters, take blood pressures Cool head- needed in times of crisisCool head- needed in times of crisis Integrity- high moral and professional standardsIntegrity- high moral and professional standards Patience- ability to take the time to listen to patients and their familiesPatience- ability to take the time to listen to patients and their families Empathy- ability to understand another person’s feelingsEmpathy- ability to understand another person’s feelings Kindness- consideration, caring and compassionKindness- consideration, caring and compassion

4. Nursing is an art and a science Nursing is a combination of scientific knowledge, compassion, and respect for human dignity.Nursing is a combination of scientific knowledge, compassion, and respect for human dignity. Nurses integrate science into practice with patients in order to provide high-quality, effective health careNurses integrate science into practice with patients in order to provide high-quality, effective health care Nursing is hard work but provides many personal and professional rewardsNursing is hard work but provides many personal and professional rewards

5. Nursing is a profession Nursing is not simply a collection of specific skillsNursing is not simply a collection of specific skills Nurses are not simply workers trained to carry out patient care tasksNurses are not simply workers trained to carry out patient care tasks Nurses are trained professionals who provide quality health care for patients, families, and communitiesNurses are trained professionals who provide quality health care for patients, families, and communities

6. Nursing is a profession because… Nursing requires extensive education and trainingNursing requires extensive education and training Nursing has a body of knowledge all its ownNursing has a body of knowledge all its own Nurses provide a specialized serviceNurses provide a specialized service Nurses have autonomy to make decisions in their practiceNurses have autonomy to make decisions in their practice Nursing has a code of ethics for practiceNursing has a code of ethics for practice

7. Professional performance standards To ensure that the nursing profession continues to provide high-quality care to patients, families, and communities, standards were developed by the ANATo ensure that the nursing profession continues to provide high-quality care to patients, families, and communities, standards were developed by the ANA These standards serve as benchmarks to define what is the professional practice of nursingThese standards serve as benchmarks to define what is the professional practice of nursing

8. ANA Professional Performance Standards Describes expected professional behavior for nursesDescribes expected professional behavior for nurses Expectations for high-quality care and collaboration among nurses and health care professionalsExpectations for high-quality care and collaboration among nurses and health care professionals Serve as objective criteria for nurses to be responsible for their practiceServe as objective criteria for nurses to be responsible for their practice

9. ANA Standards of Nursing Practice Describe the proficient level of nursing careDescribe the proficient level of nursing care Describe expectations for use of nursing process in clinical practiceDescribe expectations for use of nursing process in clinical practice Include nursing accountability for patient teaching, culturally appropriate care, planning of care, and collaborationInclude nursing accountability for patient teaching, culturally appropriate care, planning of care, and collaboration

10. Nursing education Two types of undergraduate nursing programs are currently offered in the U.S.:Two types of undergraduate nursing programs are currently offered in the U.S.: 2-year associate degree2-year associate degree 4-year baccalaureate degree4-year baccalaureate degree Both programs prepare students to take the NCLEX-RN examBoth programs prepare students to take the NCLEX-RN exam The national licensing exam for registered nursesThe national licensing exam for registered nurses The NCLEX-RN exam is the same across the U.S., so nurses can easily transfer licenses from state to stateThe NCLEX-RN exam is the same across the U.S., so nurses can easily transfer licenses from state to state

11. Nurse Practice Acts States have Nurse Practice Act documents that define the practice of nursing for that particular state.States have Nurse Practice Act documents that define the practice of nursing for that particular state. Michigan does not have a “Nurse Practice Act” with that title- MI Public Health Code and the MI Board of Nursing’s Administrative Rules instead.Michigan does not have a “Nurse Practice Act” with that title- MI Public Health Code and the MI Board of Nursing’s Administrative Rules instead. These documents are available from the MI Department of Consumer and Industry Services.These documents are available from the MI Department of Consumer and Industry Services.

12. Nursing professional organizations American Nurses AssociationAmerican Nurses Association Works to promote high standards of nursing practice and a positive, realistic view of nursesWorks to promote high standards of nursing practice and a positive, realistic view of nurses National League for NursingNational League for Nursing Works to promote excellence in nursing educationWorks to promote excellence in nursing education

13. Different types of nurses LPN: Has 1 year of trainingHas 1 year of training May follow doctors’ orders for simple procedures and giving drugsMay follow doctors’ orders for simple procedures and giving drugs May not plan care for patientsMay not plan care for patients Some facilities allow LPNs to do admission assessments, others require RN to do so or co-sign LPN assessmentSome facilities allow LPNs to do admission assessments, others require RN to do so or co-sign LPN assessment

14. Different types of nurses Nursing assistant Also known as “CNA” or “Nurse aide”Also known as “CNA” or “Nurse aide” Training requirements vary, but generally is few monthsTraining requirements vary, but generally is few months Assist nurses with basic tasks such as bed baths, feeding patients, taking vital signsAssist nurses with basic tasks such as bed baths, feeding patients, taking vital signs Are invaluable to nurses- treat them with respect and stay on their good side!Are invaluable to nurses- treat them with respect and stay on their good side!

15. Different types of nurses Associate’s vs. Bachelor’s prepared RNsAssociate’s vs. Bachelor’s prepared RNs Both take same licensure exam (NCLEX- RN) to become RNsBoth take same licensure exam (NCLEX- RN) to become RNs Same basic job dutiesSame basic job duties May have the same pay scale in some facilitiesMay have the same pay scale in some facilities Major debate raging: that BSN should be minimum for RN statusMajor debate raging: that BSN should be minimum for RN status

16. Associate’s degree RN 2-year program at a community college2-year program at a community college Fewer liberal arts classes required for degreeFewer liberal arts classes required for degree No leadership content, minimal focus on critical thinking, professionalismNo leadership content, minimal focus on critical thinking, professionalism No nursing research content, minimal community health contentNo nursing research content, minimal community health content

17. Associate’s degree RN Generally expected to function in the hospital, doctor’s office, or nursing home settingGenerally expected to function in the hospital, doctor’s office, or nursing home setting Generally restricted to staff duties in hospitals- BSN usually required for management and supervisory positionsGenerally restricted to staff duties in hospitals- BSN usually required for management and supervisory positions Must complete BSN before starting work on advanced practice nursing degreeMust complete BSN before starting work on advanced practice nursing degree

18. Why BSN? A 2003 study by the AACN showed that patients in hospitals with mainly BSN- prepared nurses had better outcomes than patients at hospitals with mainly ADN- prepared nurses.A 2003 study by the AACN showed that patients in hospitals with mainly BSN- prepared nurses had better outcomes than patients at hospitals with mainly ADN- prepared nurses. BSN RNs are better prepared for complex decision making and critical thinking to handle patient emergenciesBSN RNs are better prepared for complex decision making and critical thinking to handle patient emergencies Aiken, L., Clarke, S., Cheung, R., Sloane, D., & Silber, J. (2003). Educational levels of hospital nurses and surgical patient mortality. Journal of the American Medical Association, 290(12), 1617-1623.

19. BSN-prepared nurses BSNs are better prepared to handle patient care, including:BSNs are better prepared to handle patient care, including: Case managementCase management Patient emergenciesPatient emergencies Supervising nursing assistantsSupervising nursing assistants Functioning as charge nurseFunctioning as charge nurse More career opportunities for BSN nurses:More career opportunities for BSN nurses: Management and administrationManagement and administration Specialty units and practiceSpecialty units and practice