Essay On Wound Care Nurse

Wound management is one of the cornerstones for nursing care however, effective wound care extends far beyond the application of the wound itself. Nurses may be required to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate wound care; therefore, order to fill these roles it’s critical to have an understanding of the several different areas of wound care such as, integumentary system, classification of wounds, wound procedures, and documentation. Knowledge in each of these areas will allow nurses to make well informed decisions about wound care, and as a result play an active part in wound healing.

I showed the supernumerary nurse the proper way of preparing an NPWT using a non-touch sterile technique, started by slowly cleaning the surrounding skin prior to the application of the pressure dressing. Since it was the first time of the preceptee to perform a pressure dressing, I have provided my preceptee the principles of wound management so that it will reinforce the knowledge of the supervised nurse and skills on the management of wound using NPWT. I also provided the preceptee the protocols and the wound management chart to take note of the type of solutions to be used in managing a surgical wound. We also documented in the progress notes what we have performed, and informed the nurse in-charge on the frequency of dressing change in a week.

Population-(P) Inpatients receiving wound care. Intervention- (I) Wound Care Education for Health Care Provider. Comparison- (C) Usual care by a healthcare provider who has not participated in wound care education. Outcomes- (O) Improving wound care skills among healthcare providers, alleviation of pain resulting from improperly treated wounds, speedy healing of wounds. Time- (T) 6 months. The project will seek to establish the level which continued or frequent wound care education for health care providers, especially the nurses would facilitate the

There are numerous change theories that nurse leaders can use to help make a change. According to our textbook, one of the most useful theories is Lewin’s change theory. This theory of change is described in three stages, (a) Unfreezing, (b) Moving, and (c) Refreezing (Grossman & Valiga, 2012). First, in the unfreezing stage, a problem is identified, analyzed and the start for change begins. Second, in the moving stage, this is where you make the change, new policies are developed and implemented. Last, in the refreezing stage, the change has been made and this is the new way of doing things now. Lewin’s change theory also mentions the driving forces, restraining forces and equilibrium, in order for organizations to remain in balance.

According to Porter-O’Grady, 2016 et al p 324, our healthcare systems today are at the center of what is considered major change. Much of the change today is directly related to the foundational principles, concepts and associated with complexity in systems and relationships, and an understanding by nurse leader and follower; of what it takes to make meaningful change. Nurse Leaders, registered nurses, advance practice nurses, and other followers, at every level of our organizations must be increasingly aware of meaningful and sustainable changes that improves our healthcare systems (Porter-O’Grady, 2016 et al p 324).

Implementing a change in practice within these environments can produce anxiety or fear of failure in nurses, leading to a resistance to change. Several studies (Bozak, 2003; Lehman, 2008; Spetz, Burgess & Phibbs, 2012) expounded the need for a concise plan and clear communication between nurses and management when implementing a change of this nature. The use of Lewin’s Change Management theory can support nurses through the transitions and identify areas of strengths and resistances prior to implementing change. Without a framework for guidance, it can be difficult to keep on track.

Over the last century, registered nurses' participation in wound management has actually varied from that of following rigorous dressing routines to autonomous practice (Moore, 1997). In the past, nurse education frequently enhanced the overall results at the time. An adherence to apprenticeship-style learning, where registered nurses frequently had minimal knowledge of the results of the dressing they were putting on a wound, contributed considerably to a theory-practice space or gap of research in wound management. Registered nurses were not actively associated with the decision-making procedure (Madsen, 1999).

During community placement, my mentor and I visited M (patient), a 75years old lady, who was presented with a Pressure Ulcer, on the heel of her right leg. On arrival, my mentor asked me to manage M’s wound. However, I have observed and participate in carrying out this skill (wound care) with my mentor on several occasions. I explained the procedure to M and gained her consent to carry out the procedure.

It is crucial for nursing personnel to have knowledge of the intrinsic factors as well as simple measures than can be taken to prevent wounds becoming infected. Strategies to decrease infection risks should be included as part of a wound management regimen.

A positive force for change centers on the nurse’s strong desire to change current practices. The combination of the turnover rate, low morale, and higher percentage of new nurses, is the driving

According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), 2.5 million patients are affected by pressure ulcers and incur costs anywhere from $9.1 billion to $11.6 billion per year in the United States (AHRQ, 2014). As of October 1, 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will not reimburse hospitals for cases in which the pressure ulcer was acquired after admission (CMS, 2008). Because of this high cost, the number of patients affected each year, and insurances no longer reimbursing hospital acquired pressure ulcers (HAPU), an accurate skin assessment upon admission is critical to reduce costs, ease pain in patients, and lower incidences of pressure ulcers. This paper will address what leadership and management skills and functions are required of a wound care nurse who identifies a problem with the accuracy of skin assessments on newly admitted patients.

Nurses should be full partners, with physicians and other health professionals, in regarding health care in the United States(Institute of Medicine, 2011).Nurses should be full partners because who knows nursing and what nurses need better than a nurses themselves? In care environments, being a full partner involves taking responsibility for identifying problems and areas of waste, devising and implementing a plan for improvement, tracking improvement over time, and making necessary adjustments to realize established goals (Institute of Medicine, 2011).The expense of certain supplies and equipment could be decreased over time if nurses had more say in their environment and resources. On many floors in hospitals, certain supplies are not needed

Being a registered nurse affords one the option of working in many diverse healthcare settings. In any practice setting the climate of health care change is evident. There are diverse entities involved in the implementation and recommendation of these practice changes. These are led by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the Institute of Medicine (IOM), nursing campaign for action initiatives, as well as individual state-based action coalitions. Nurses need to be prepared and cognizant of the transformations occurring in health care settings as well as the plans that put them at the forefront of the future.

According to the IOM report, the nursing profession is undergoing fundamental changes within the underlying operations of the field. A new regulatory environment coupled with increased scrutiny of the profession will dramatically impact the nursing profession. As the report indicates nurses, in the near future, will have job requirements that are business oriented. Nurses will need to have a better understanding of quality management methods in addition to overall concepts of management. As the health care system continues its rapid reform nurses must also be cognizant of the effects these changes will have on their overall roles and responsibilities. This involves a transformation of the roles and responsibilities of nurses as they enter the profession. As the health care landscape continues to change, so too must the nurses of the future. A dedication to continual learning is therefore needed to help diminish the influence of antiquated and obsolete knowledge regarding the profession.

The healthcare system comprises of various disciplines, one of which is the discipline of nursing. I feel that compared to other disciplines like medicine, nursing has minimal recognition of being a discipline on its own. According to (IAIN W. GRAHAM), nurses are always needed by the society, however, the society lacks in acknowledging the social status of nurses. Hence, being nurses, we have to understand and uphold the importance of our nursing. I am writing this letter to you as I would like to share with you on why it is important to study the discipline of nursing. I hope after reading this letter you would be enlightened and be motivated to spread what you have gained from reading this letter to other nurses.