Nursing Excellence Essay

In nursing practice, the NLN’s mission aligns with extending nursing education by fostering excellence to progress a diverse team in evolving health on both national and global levels (NLN, 2016). The NLN seeks to be a leader in nursing education by setting goals and objectives. This organization plays a prominent role in nursing education by spearheading the nursing workforce with nursing certifications and examinations and serving as the main source for legislation reform. The NLN inspires students to apply professional clinical expertise to practice in an ethical manner with the utmost respect and value caring (Bavier, 2015). In nursing research, the NLN endorses evidence-based nursing education by promoting resources to foster research and evolve research initiatives to transform education in nursing (NLN, 2016).

Introduction Nursing is one of the most popular professions in healthcare. To become a professional nurse, one must acquire certain level of education, whether it is at associate or baccalaureate degree level. Once becoming a nurse a number of professional standards must be maintained to stay abreast with the profession. In that respect, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in its 2010 report had suggested many recommendations focusing on the future of nursing. The aim of the report is to put forth recommendations that allow nurses to “(1) ensure that nurses can practice to the full extent of their education and training (2) improve nursing education, (3) provide opportunities for nurses to assume leadership positions and to serve as full partners in health care redesign and improvement efforts, and (4) improve data collection for workforce planning and policy making” (Institute of Medicine Report, 2010).

Nursing leadership may also involve empowering other nurses and mentoring them to become active leaders. A nurse leader is a professional, an advocate, and a good communicator. A nurse leader should be both empathetic and courageous (MrDjaskari, 2013). A nurse leader drives the team effort for changes that may improve health care delivery. A nurse leader seeks out opportunities for growth and development.

Educators must be lifelong learners, and flexible enough to adapt curriculum and teaching methods in response to innovations in nursing science and ongoing changes in the practice environment” (Bartels, J., Jan. 2005). It is a role that Florence Nightingale, who is so ahead of her time, has envisioned for nurses so long ago. In one of her excerpts, she summarized: “Training is to teach a nurse her business, that is, to observe exactly, to understand, to know exactly, to do, to tell exactly, in such stupendous issues as life and death, health and disease. Training is to enable a nurse to act for the best in carrying out her orders, not as a machine but as a nurse; as an intelligent and responsible being”.

Professional organizations aid in generating ideas, establishing and maintaining the trust of society, and they work proactively to uphold a healthy profession. To ensure nurses are maintaining a greater status in healthcare, professional organizations need to continue to provide education to all professional nurses, members or not, as well as to society (Matthews, 2012). Education constantly leads to new information. Education should focus on working with nursing professionals as well as legislators on how to continue to advocate for the nursing profession and to find new respects to support and strengthen healthcare. In addition, being apart of a professional organization provides opportunities for professional growth and development in the nursing profession, allowing nurses the opportunity to have a voice.

That bond is also strengthened when the nurse shows interest in wanting to help the patient heal and get better. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing website, “Historically, the nursing role has emphasized partnerships- whether individuals, families, groups, communities, or populations- in order to foster and support the patient’s active participation in determining health care decisions.” It takes a team when it comes to the care and well-being of a patient. Nurses are considered member of profession that helps contribute to the patient’s health care needs. Member of profession is also someone who takes the role of the patient’s advocate. To be the best provider of care and member of profession, evidence-based practice must be incorporated into everyday nursing care.

“Effective leadership behaviors require preparation, professional leadership attitudes and behavior” (Arnold and Boggs, 2011, p. 228). This requires a strong and knowledgeable leader who inspire others and support professional nursing practice. Furthermore, “leaders that have access to strong interpersonal relationships, information, support, resources, and opportunities empowers employees to accomplish meaningful work” (Young – Ritchie, Laschinger, & Wong, 2009). All these qualities are also important for a practical nurse to have access to in order to empower patients to achieve their optimal well-being. Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (SALPN), states that Licensed Practical Nurses standards encourage leadership through self-awareness and reflection, commitment to individual and professional growth (2013).

CLASS: Nur 6050 WEEK #2 INITIAL DISCUSSION POST TOPIC: Research Priorities for Transforming Nursing Leadership Nurses as Leaders of quality improvement initiatives in Healthcare Setting Nurses are key member of today healthcare team. We play key roles in ensuring that patients receive high quality and safe care that will enable them return to active and productive lives. To ensure that nurses discharge this key responsibility effectively and efficiently, nurses need to competent and up-to-date in their practice skills and knowledge. Therefore, I chose the research priority identification of the personal and professional characteristics most important to leaders of quality improvement initiatives in hospitals and other settings as the

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an interdisciplinary approach to clinical practice that many organizations are being utilized. “The benefits of EBP, including greater cost effectiveness, and better patient safety, clinical outcomes, and patient and staff satisfaction are widely acknowledged” (Embedding a culture of evidence-based practice, page 14). In this paper, I will discuss how evidence-based practice is being utilized in the organization I work for, how nurses at the bedside are encouraged to participate in planning and implement evidence-based changes and what factors are available for nurses to use when implementing evidence-based practice. I will also discuss how nurses can suggest or help improve evidence-based practice and sustain a positive environment for EBP. The organization I work for is Kaiser Permanente.

Mr. Curtis promotes professional certification. For an organization to be designated as a Pathway of Excellence, means that it promotes best practices to improve nursing quality, by establishing an environment that stimulates creativity and innovation to enhance and improve nursing care as stated by ANA (2016). Standard 15. Professional Practice Evaluation The nurse administrator evaluates one’s own and others’ nursing practice (ANA, 2016). The nursing practice is consistent with regulatory requirements pertaining to licensure, relevant statutes, rules, and regulations (ANA, 2016).