N108: Transition to the Registered Professional Nurse

N108: Transition to the Registered Professional Nurse Role Study Guide of 171 The RN as Member of the Discipline of Nursing The RN embodies the values and expectations of the profession of nursing to other healthcare professionals, to patients, and to the public at large. All nurses get frustrated about nursing sometimes, but it is important that nurses be seen to value the profession of nursing. Being positive about nursing is vital, including avoiding words or actions that minimize or denigrate the profession. Unfortunately, although the public believes nursing is one of the most ethical and trustworthy professions, it is not as clear on what nurses actually do. Certainly, the way nurses are portrayed in the media is part of the problem. Nurses must be more vocal about what they add to patient care in terms of critical thinking, decision making, and patient advocates. Patient advocacy is one of the key components of professional nursing practice. This involves speaking for patients if necessary, keeping them well-informed about their care, and protecting their rights. This is a nursing role that many members of the public do not understand or appreciate. Professional growth is another important aspect of the nursing discipline. Nurses must take responsibility for maintaining a current knowledge base, including cultural diversity, technology, and updated medical advances. This includes the use of nursing research in practice, such as adopting a nursing theory as a basis of a nurse’s practice, as well as using evidence-based research in patient care. As a profession, nursing must ensure that the highest standards of nursing are practiced. Participating in peer review, quality improvement teams, and always remaining accountable for personal practice is essential. In addition, nurses must always practice within the legal and ethical guidelines of nursing. As professionals, nurses have to care for each other and the profession. Being involved in professional nursing organizations, such as the ANA, is one step. Unfortunately nursing has a reputation for being unwelcoming and often hostile to new members of the profession. Lateral or horizontal violence is a commonplace experience to many new graduates. Nurses “eating their own” is what it is frequently called. Horizontal violence should be unacceptable to all nurses and, as professionals, nurses must speak against it whenever or wherever it occurs. Supporting nursing by recruiting and mentoring new nurses is an important role for individual nurses. Mentoring is an effective way to socialize new members of the profession, through one-on-one contact and by example. Mentoring matches a student with a person who has more experience and who is more senior in rank or education. This can be done informally in an educational setting or in the workplace. The mentor serves as an advisor and critic, as well as a teacher and advocate for the student. In contrast, a preceptorship is more formal. In a preceptorship, a student is assigned to a more experienced person who acts as their teacher. Professional Boundaries Patients are in a vulnerable situation and they expect nurses to act in their best interest and respect their dignity. Nurses should not violate the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship in any way. Sometimes, boundaries are crossed purposefully, such as sexual misconduct by the nurse, but many times boundary crossings occur without specific intent. This is still incorrect professional behavior. In order to maintain the trust of patients and practice in a manner consistent with professional standards, nurses should understand and maintain the limits of professional boundaries. ©2017 Achieve Test Prep Page 39

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