Understanding Nursing Principles
In this essay I will discuss my understanding of the Principles of nursing practice (RCN, 2010). I will look at the Principles in general, investigate the professional, legal and ethical frameworks that guide nursing practice and how I demonstrated these principles in caring for a patient whilst on placement. I will conclude with reflection on my own development as a result of the client care and how the principles of nursing practice delivers safe and effective person centred nursing. The Principles of Nursing Practice was developed by the Royal College of Nursing in conjunction with patient and service organizations, the Department of Health, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, nurses and other healthcare professionals. The Principles describe
…show more content…
what everyone can expect from nursing practice, whether colleagues, patients, their families or carers and were launched in 2010((RCN, 2010). The principles underpin the values we should hold as nurses. Nurses are managing their clinical responsibilities and nurses are expected to deliver the highest possible quality of care in a compassionate manner while also being mindful of costs (Polit, 2004).
Principle A promotes dignity, equality and diversity, and humanity (RCN, 2010).
Dignity, equality, diversity and humanity are basic rights for all individuals which are underpinned by Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010. Dignity is concerned with how people feel in relation to themselves. To treat someone with dignity is to treat them with respect and thought. It is to treat them with regard. Matiti (2011) regards dignity as ensuring privacy for patients when giving care and to be kind and compassionate. Principle B emphasizes accountability and responsibility. Nurses should be accountable and be able to defend whatever care they provide based on evidence and policy. According to (Scrivener, 2011) nurses should take responsibility for the care they provide and answer for their own judgements and actions. Responsibility equates to the duty of care in law. The duty of care applies whether the task involves. Principle C underlines the safety of patients, visitors and staff, management of risk and clinical safety (RCN, 2010). The NHS is expected to treat patients in a safe environment and protect them from avoidable harm. Patient safety improvement is about tackling the causes of errors in care that can come from bad working environments or the lack of training and support for staff (NHS, 2015). Nurses should always assess and deal with risk when they are caring for patients. Principle D underscores advocacy, empowerment, person centred care, patient involvement (RCN, 2014). According to Sanderson (2012) Person centred care is said to be good quality care and involving patients in making decisions about their care. Patients care should be appropriate to their culture and the friends and family of patients should be given the information and support they need. Principle E stresses effective communication, handling feedback, recording keeping, reporting and monitoring. Effective communication means being honest, empathetic, trustworthy. Good communication
is about having the body language, eye contact and tone of voice. The NMC code (2010) states that good communication is essential in delivery of good health care. Therapeutic communication, good record keeping and confidentiality are all important. Principle F emphasizes Education, training, skills and clinical knowledge. It is important that keep up to date with knowledge and skills. Principle G focuses on team work and multidisciplinary. This Principle is about the importance of nurses working collaboratively with other health care professionals to improve patients’ outcomes. Mead (2005) stresses that patients receive the best care when there good collaborative working among healh care professionals. Principles H is about leadership, building, developing and sustaining effective teams. It is about contributing to an open and responsive culture. The NMC code (2010) supports an open and responsive culture
I discussed this assignment with my mentor and with the other two well- being nurses in my practice placement because throughout my time here I have shadowed all three of them consistently. I gained consent from my mentor and the patient involved. My seeking consent is in line with NMC code (2010) which states that you must respect people’s right to confidentiality. I was given permission on condition that I do not use the patient’s real or identify the location of the health setting.
Maureen is a 55 year old woman who was admitted to the acute ward where I was on placement. Maureen had a husband and 2 sons. Maureen was referred by her husband who said he has become concerned about Maureen’s safety as well as the safety of their youngest son who was 12 years old. The husband said that they had been noticing changes in Maureen over the past 18 months. Maureen started by forgetting the names of her husband and two sons. Maureen was a stage actress who worked hard. She acted in so many stage plays and she travelled the world. She was energetic and a good homemaker. Her husband said she was good cook and a good driver .She also was a good sailor who sailed the boat the boat they owned on the river Thames.
Maureen’s husband noticed that Maureen has become more anxious and forgetful. She has had to take a break from stage acting as she has become anxious about learning her lines. Her behaviour has become odd. She says people are talking about her and that people are planning to do bad things to her. She has taken to wearing summer clothes when it is freezing cold and wearing open toe sandals in winter. She has forgotten how to cook and baking which she previously enjoyed. Sometimes she just stays in her room and screams, her two sons have become afraid of her. When Maureen was admitted to the acute ward.
I first met Maureen when she was accessed by one of the nurses. I was told to check her vital signs. I approached Maureen and introduced myself. I asked her permission to take her vital signs which she gave. I checked her blood pressure, temperature, and pulse and oxygen saturation. Her blood pressure was high which I noted that on the chart. I also did a mini memory assessment on Maureen in which I took her life history. I treated her with dignity and she was relaxed with me. She explained she gets anxious about situations and she is not able to manage this. I was apprehensive before approaching Maureen but I was happy that she opened up to me. After this encounter with Maureen I recorded all information on the computer system. This is in line with principle E which states that nurses should report on treatment and care.
After all the assessment Maureen was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, panic disorder and mild depression. She was prescribed Donepezil 10mg. Prescribing
what everyone can expect from nursing practice, whether colleagues, patients, their families or carers and were launched in 2010((RCN, 2010). The principles underpin the values we should hold as nurses. Nurses are managing their clinical responsibilities and nurses are expected to deliver the highest possible quality of care in a compassionate manner while also being mindful of costs (Polit, 2004).
Principle A promotes dignity, equality and diversity, and humanity (RCN, 2010).
Dignity, equality, diversity and humanity are basic rights for all individuals which are underpinned by Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010. Dignity is concerned with how people feel in relation to themselves. To treat someone with dignity is to treat them with respect and thought. It is to treat them with regard. Matiti (2011) regards dignity as ensuring privacy for patients when giving care and to be kind and compassionate. Principle B emphasizes accountability and responsibility. Nurses should be accountable and be able to defend whatever care they provide based on evidence and policy. According to (Scrivener, 2011) nurses should take responsibility for the care they provide and answer for their own judgements and actions. Responsibility equates to the duty of care in law. The duty of care applies whether the task involves. Principle C underlines the safety of patients, visitors and staff, management of risk and clinical safety (RCN, 2010). The NHS is expected to treat patients in a safe environment and protect them from avoidable harm. Patient safety improvement is about tackling the causes of errors in care that can come from bad working environments or the lack of training and support for staff (NHS, 2015). Nurses should always assess and deal with risk when they are caring for patients. Principle D underscores advocacy, empowerment, person centred care, patient involvement (RCN, 2014). According to Sanderson (2012) Person centred care is said to be good quality care and involving patients in making decisions about their care. Patients care should be appropriate to their culture and the friends and family of patients should be given the information and support they need. Principle E stresses effective communication, handling feedback, recording keeping, reporting and monitoring. Effective communication means being honest, empathetic, trustworthy. Good communication
is about having the body language, eye contact and tone of voice. The NMC code (2010) states that good communication is essential in delivery of good health care. Therapeutic communication, good record keeping and confidentiality are all important. Principle F emphasizes Education, training, skills and clinical knowledge. It is important that keep up to date with knowledge and skills. Principle G focuses on team work and multidisciplinary. This Principle is about the importance of nurses working collaboratively with other health care professionals to improve patients’ outcomes. Mead (2005) stresses that patients receive the best care when there good collaborative working among healh care professionals. Principles H is about leadership, building, developing and sustaining effective teams. It is about contributing to an open and responsive culture. The NMC code (2010) supports an open and responsive culture
I discussed this assignment with my mentor and with the other two well- being nurses in my practice placement because throughout my time here I have shadowed all three of them consistently. I gained consent from my mentor and the patient involved. My seeking consent is in line with NMC code (2010) which states that you must respect people’s right to confidentiality. I was given permission on condition that I do not use the patient’s real or identify the location of the health setting.
Maureen is a 55 year old woman who was admitted to the acute ward where I was on placement. Maureen had a husband and 2 sons. Maureen was referred by her husband who said he has become concerned about Maureen’s safety as well as the safety of their youngest son who was 12 years old. The husband said that they had been noticing changes in Maureen over the past 18 months. Maureen started by forgetting the names of her husband and two sons. Maureen was a stage actress who worked hard. She acted in so many stage plays and she travelled the world. She was energetic and a good homemaker. Her husband said she was good cook and a good driver .She also was a good sailor who sailed the boat the boat they owned on the river Thames.
Maureen’s husband noticed that Maureen has become more anxious and forgetful. She has had to take a break from stage acting as she has become anxious about learning her lines. Her behaviour has become odd. She says people are talking about her and that people are planning to do bad things to her. She has taken to wearing summer clothes when it is freezing cold and wearing open toe sandals in winter. She has forgotten how to cook and baking which she previously enjoyed. Sometimes she just stays in her room and screams, her two sons have become afraid of her. When Maureen was admitted to the acute ward.
I first met Maureen when she was accessed by one of the nurses. I was told to check her vital signs. I approached Maureen and introduced myself. I asked her permission to take her vital signs which she gave. I checked her blood pressure, temperature, and pulse and oxygen saturation. Her blood pressure was high which I noted that on the chart. I also did a mini memory assessment on Maureen in which I took her life history. I treated her with dignity and she was relaxed with me. She explained she gets anxious about situations and she is not able to manage this. I was apprehensive before approaching Maureen but I was happy that she opened up to me. After this encounter with Maureen I recorded all information on the computer system. This is in line with principle E which states that nurses should report on treatment and care.
After all the assessment Maureen was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, panic disorder and mild depression. She was prescribed Donepezil 10mg. Prescribing