The National Competency Standard For Nurses

To meet competency standard two, registered nurses need to consciously and actively engage in therapeutic and professional relationships (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia [NMBA], 2016); Doherty & Thompson, 2014). Therapeutic nurse-patient relationships are built on trust, where the patient feels safe to be open and honest; enabling a productive relationship with positive patient-centred outcomes (Doherty & Thompson, 2014). A vital principal in delivering patient-centred care is to foster effective communication along with establishing personal and professional relationship boundaries (NMBA, 2016). This fundamental approach to care, ensures

As health care workers we are under a legal obligation to protect an individual from any kind of abuse, whether it is physical, financial, emotional, sexual or psychological .Legislation, policies and procedures exist to promote a safer working environment and reduce the potential for risks occurring. They are tailored for the needs of each setting, known and understood by employers and employees and reviewed on a regular basis.

In 2006, the ANMC agreed to create a national registration scheme for health professionals and health education and training. the reason for establishing the nursing standards was to simplify and improve the consistency of the current arrangement. The competenies set boundaries to practise within. These competencies enable nurses from all over the world to be assessed against a specific criteria annually and those returning to work from extended leave periods. These standards also provide a compulsory base line for universities when developing the nursing curriculum (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. 2008). In 2008, the ANMC arranged a meeting and agreed to establish the scheme by 2010. The cinoetency standards have a variety of targets standards

The next competency I have met standards for exist under the Provision and coordination of care domain. I effectively undertook the documentation of nursing care documents. I developed good record keeping skills. I recorded

In every work place there should be policies set in place. These policies come from the law and make reference to the standard that is legally required in a health and social care setting. These include Fire Escape plans, Health and Safety policies and

The second category of provisions relates to the nurse’s responsibility to maintain their own proficiency and health environments, delegate appropriately, preserve integrity, and keep their practice and competence current. It is crucial that nurses are proficient and maintain competency in order to deliver high quality care to patients. "The virtue of professional competence calls for continual professional growth and a commitment to lifelong learning. You must practice nursing that’s evidence-based, be knowledgeable about the scope and standards of nursing practice, and have the necessary skills to perform nursing tasks effectively” [ (Lachman, 2008, p. 44) ].

The first spoke, “adherence to code for nurses,” represents the need for nurses to follow the rules laid out for them. These could be scope of practice, rules associated with certain workplaces and following proper procedures. To be professional, a

As a healthcare professional a therapeutic relationship is fundamental in providing quality patient care. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) National Competency Standards for a Registered Nurse (2006) emphasises Collaborative and Therapeutic relationships as one of the four main domains which make up the standards. The assignment will explore one specific quality on establishing, maintaining and appropriately concluding a therapeutic relationship in relation to a Horizon Hospital and Health Service client, in this case Mary Young. The specific attribute chosen is ‘establishes rapport with individuals/groups that enhances they ability to express feelings, fosters an appropriate context for expression of feeling.’ This attribute is crucial in having the guiding principals for a safe professional practice.

The CNO outlined professional standards for nurses to comply with. The seven that are outlined are accountability, continuing competence, ethics, knowledge, knowledge application, leadership, and relationships. “A standard is an authoritative statement that sets out the legal and professional basis of nursing practice” (College of Nurses of Ontario, 2009, p. 3). Although each standard has different meaning, they all work together in order to provide the best possible patient care.

American Nurses Association (ANA) Standards of Professional Performance explains how all registered nurses do their work and activities consistently according to their professions that promote the wellbeing of their patients and communities (ANA, 2010a). The standards provide a mechanism to patients that they are been taken good care of and that the nurses know exactly what to do so as to provide high-quality care and the measures are in place to determine whether nursing care meets the standards. These activities are related to performance like ethics, quality of practice, education, communication, resources, leadership, environmental health, professional practice evaluation, and evidence-based practice and research. Registered nurses are responsible for their professional actions to themselves, their patients, their peers, and the community at large.

Mary considers “Competencies for registered nurses” is affecting her career the most. It helps her to maintain the high standards as a nurse. This document has been implemented by Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) to ensure the on-going education and compliance with standards for nursing care. It consists of four main parts. They are competences in professional responsibility, management of nursing care, interpersonal relationships and interprofessional care and quality improvement. It requires ability to show knowledge and judgment, and being responsible for own actions and decisions, while assuring safety of the patients, their independence and quality of life and health. Also it requires competences in client assessment and managing the care. The clients care should be sensitive to his/her needs. It is supported by nursing knowledge and evidence based research. Besides to comply with “Competences for registered nurses” the patient care should be cultural sensitive (Nursing Council of New Zealand, 2007). Every 3

The NMC has a code of professional conduct, standard for conduct, performance and ethics, the code clearly states the need for nurses, midwives as well as special community public health nurses to maintain their professional knowledge and competence in order to deliver care based on current evidence, best practice and where applicable (NMC 2004, p.10). Hence, nursing profession is regulated by the NMC which has

The five core competencies identified by IOM and the sixth added by QSEN, safety, are believed to be necessary to improve both quality and safety of the healthcare system within which nurses work (Multimethod teaching). The six core competencies outlined are patient-centered care, teamwork and collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, informatics, and safety (Diffusing Qsen). While all competencies are significant to the healthcare system, patient centered care is vital to positive patient outcomes and focuses on the patient’s perspective within the healthcare system.

In the early 1980s it came to light that while the supply of nurses had reached a record high, only 80% of hospitals nationwide had adequate nurse staffing levels (American Nurse Credentialing Center, 2011, p. 8). To address this issue a taskforce was formed within the American Academy of Nursing (AAN). Through an initial study of 165 hospitals, the AAN determined the characteristics of healthcare organizations that were magnetically attracting and retaining nurses as employees (American Nurse Credentialing Center, p. 9). In this study the AAN found “Forces of Magnetism” that contributed to the high level of job satisfaction amongst nurses, superior quality of care, low job turnover, and high level of nurse involvement in leadership, decision-making, and research. In the early 1990s, catapulted by the findings of this initial study, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) developed the Magnet Recognition Program. The intention of the ANCC’s Magnet Recognition Program was threefold: To reward hospitals that demonstrated “excellence in the delivery of nursing services to patients;” to encourage quality in the nursing work environment to support practicing professional nurses; and to guide navigation for the dissemination of evidenced-based clinical nursing practice (American Nurse Credentialing Center, 2011, p. 14).

This pathway gives staff structure, support and professional integrity. Additionally, The Royal College of nursing, SCIE, and primary care trusts are all involved in the development of protocols and guidelines. This does however indicate that no service users are involved in the creation process, possibly resulting in service and organisational focused guidelines. Successfully implementing protocols has its barriers. The Open University, (K101 Introduction to Health and Social Care, Resources, 2014) highlights several problematic factors including, limited resources, staff shortages and equipment and medical supply problems. However, once implemented successfully these policies may help to manage risk, control budgets and reduce litigation.