Transition into Professional Nursing for RNs
Professional Nursing and its Glory!
What makes a good nurse? Is it caring for the patient with compassion and devotion? Actually being a great nurse takes a lot more than just attending patients well. It takes a holistic approach to nursing; using evidences based practices, detail communication skills, applying critical skills, and being able to present one-self as a professional. And all of that takes practice. Also, nurses must be able to be part of organizations that promote health, education, and provide evidence based practice research to continue educating patients and their families. Nursing is not a black and white area, its several shades of grey, blues, and many other colors. Good nurses go beyond their daily routine and research information that will yield the best outcome for the patient. They involve all members of the team and their families effectively. Furthermore, using critical thinking skills nurses can adequately analysis patient condition, draw conclusions, review outcomes, self-analysis personal views, justify results, and have the courage to advocate for the patient (Paul, 2005).
Critical thinking as described by Paul and Elder’s (2005) is one that has the ability to improve the quality of their thinking by applying intellect to their standards of thinking. This thought process is crucial in nursing because it entails that the nurse must challenge his or her own thinking. Nurses must be able to question a situation, analysis its outcome, and arrive at a conclusion that will benefit the patient and their families. Beyond using critical thinking the nurse must then be able to communicate effectively with other member of the team, the family, and the patient.
Nursing organizations provide nurses with a sense of direction, and guidance. Take for instance the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
References: Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. (2013). Retrieved from: http://www.awhonn.org/awhonn/content.do?name=10_AboutUs/10A_MissionVisionValues.htm Chitty, K. K., & Black, B. P. (2011). Professional nursing: Concepts & challenges. Maryland Heights, Mo: Saunders/Elsevier. Paul, R. & Elder, L. (2005). In the miniature guide to critical thinking: concepts and tools. Foundation for Critical Thinking, Dillon Beach, Calif.