1. Critical Care
I hope to continue my career as a nurse in the critical care setting. The Quality and Safety Education in Nursing (QSEN) practice standards will influence my nursing practice by developing and increasing the expertise necessary to assist the learning and assessment of achievement of quality and safety competencies in the critical care setting (QSEN, 2012). I should be able to mentor pre-licensed nurses regarding quality and safety on the unit. I will be aware of the six competencies established by QSEN and promote the use of evidenced based practice in the continued education of nursing professionals.
The six competencies include:
Patient-centered care
Teamwork and collaboration
Evidence-based practice
Quality improvement
Safety
Informatics (Project overview, 2012)
About QSEN (2012). In American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Retrieved April 13, 2012 from
Project overview (2012). In Quality and safety education for nurses. Retrieved April 14, 2012 from
Jordan Furstenau

2. Nursing Standards
The Quality and Safety Education for Nurses has provided quality improvement competencies that are standards of nursing practice (AACN, 2012). Standards of professional performance have been established requiring the registered nurse:
Demonstrates quality by documenting the application of the nursing process in a responsible, accountable and ethical manner.
Participates in quality improvement including:
- Using indicators to monitor quality, safety and effectiveness of nursing practice.
- Formulating recommendations to improve nursing practice or outcomes.
- Collecting data to identify opportunities for improving nursing practice.
Speaks up when appropriate to question healthcare practice when necessary for safety and quality improvement. (ANA, 2010)
About QSEN (2012). In American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Retrieved April 13, 2012 from
American Nurses Association. (2010). Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice (2nd ed.) Washington D.C: Author
Jordan Furstenau

3. Nursing Standards
The Quality and Safety Education for Nurses has provided safety competencies that are standards of nursing practice (AACN, 2012). Standards of professional performance have been established requiring the registered nurse:
Promotes a practice environment that reduces health risks for workers and healthcare consumers.
Identifies healthcare consumer needs, potential for harm, complexity of task and desired outcome when considering resource allocation.
Communicates environmental risks and exposure reduction strategies to healthcare consumers, families and colleagues. (ANA, 2010)
About QSEN (2012). In American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Retrieved April 13, 2012 from
American Nurses Association. (2010). Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice (2nd ed.) Washington D.C: Author
Jordan Furstenau

4. Nursing Standards
The Quality and Safety Education for Nurses has provided evidenced based practice competencies that are standards of nursing practice (AACN, 2012). Standards of professional performance have been established requiring the registered nurse:
Incorporates evidence when initiating changes in nursing practice.
Utilizes current evidence-based nursing knowledge, including research findings, to guide practice.
Participates, as appropriate to educational level and position, in the formulation of evidence-based practice through research.
Shares personal or third-party research findings with colleagues and peers. (ANA, 2010)
About QSEN (2012). In American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Retrieved April 13, 2012 from
American Nurses Association. (2010). Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice (2nd ed.) Washington D.C: Author
Jordan Furstenau