Fundamentals of Nursing: Introduction

What is Nursing?

• Nursing is both an art and a science
  • Art: Compassion, care, and respect
  • Science: Organized body of knowledge about nursing
• Quality care impacts patients long-term

Definitions

• American Nurses Association (ANA): Knowledge of behavioral, social, biological, and psychological sciences, and nursing theories
• International Council of Nurses (ICN): Encompasses autonomous and collaborative care, advocacy, promoting a safe environment, research, and more

Roles and Responsibilities

• Autonomy and Accountability: Make responsible decisions without doctor's instruction
• Caregiver: Regain patient’s physical, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being
• Advocate: Promote client’s human rights
• Educator: Explain concepts about health
• Communicator: Effective communication with patients, families, and coworkers
• Manager: Plan, guide staff, monitor, and give rewards

Nursing Proficiency (Benner’s Stages)

1. Novice: Beginner with no experience
2. Advanced Beginner: Some experience
3. Competent: 2-3 years in clinical position
4. Proficiency: More than 2-3 years in position
5. Expert: Skilled in identifying problems

Scope and Standards of Practice

• Published by ANA in 1960
• Aim: Improve healthcare system and well-being of all
• Standards of Practice: Highly skilled level of nursing
  1. Assessment: Collect comprehensive data about patient’s health
  2. Diagnosis: Analyze assessment data
  3. Outcomes Identification: Identify outcomes of patient care plan
  4. Planning: Develop a plan for outcomes
  5. Implementation: Execute care plan
  6. Evaluation: Evaluate patient progress
• Standards of Professional Performance: Maintain professional roles
  1. Ethics
  2. Education
  3. Evidence-Based Practice
  4. Quality Practice
  5. Communication
  6. Leadership
  7. Collaboration
  8. Professional Practice Evaluation
  9. Resources
  10. Environmental Health
• Code of Ethics: Ideals of right and wrong in patient care

Nursing Roles and Career Paths

• APRN: Advanced Practice RN, requires a master's degree
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist: Specializes in a type of problem, population, or setting
  • Nurse Practitioner: Diagnoses and treats patients
  • Nurse Midwife: Provides care for women during labor, delivery, and post-delivery
  • Certified Nurse Anesthetist: Administers surgical anesthesia
• **Other Roles: **
  • Nurse Educator: Teaches, requires a master's degree or higher
  • Nurse Administrator: Manages patient care, requires at least a bachelor's degree
  • Nurse Researcher: Specializes in research

Nursing Education and Licensure

• **Degrees: **
  • Associate’s Degree (2 years)
  • BSN Degree (4 years)
  • Master’s Degree (Graduate Education)
• Doctorate:
  • PhD: Research and theory development
  • DNP: Evidence-based practice
• Licensure: NCLEX RN examination
• Certifications: Vary by state

Historical Influences

• Florence Nightingale: First school of nursing, improved sanitation, first to practice epidemiology
• Impactful Women (Civil War to 20th Century):
  • Clara Barton: Founded American Red Cross
  • Mother Bickerdike: Organized ambulance services
  • Harriet Tubman: Provided nursing care for Black soldiers and freed slaves
  • Mary Mahoney: First professionally trained Black nurse
  • Lillian Wald and Mary Brewster: Provided free nursing care to poor and homeless

Challenges and Self-Care

• Nursing Shortage: Take on multiple roles due to lack of nurses
• Compassion Fatigue: Result of excessive compassion and energy given to suffering patients
  • Symptoms: Hopelessness, anxiety, loss of interest
• Self-Care: Important to balance work and personal life
• Grief and Loss: Constant exposure can cause burnout

Impact of Social Changes

• Affordable Care Act (ACA): Affects health care delivery
• Rising Healthcare Costs: Challenge for consumers
• Demographic Changes: Increasing population and chronic illnesses
• Medically Underserved: Unemployed, homeless, low-paying jobs, mental illnesses

Trends in Nursing

• Evidence-Based Practice: Public more aware of healthcare needs
• Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN): Prepares nurses to improve quality of care
• Emerging Technologies: Accurate assessment tools and data programs
• Genomics: Study of genes and their impact on conditions and treatment
• Professionalism: Maintain standards to influence public opinion
• Political Involvement: Health care legislation advocacy

Conclusion

• Importance of never giving up in nursing school
• Link to shop for merchandise shared during the lecture