Clinical Nurse Roles Essay

During my clinical practicum hours at Fresno Surgical Hospital (FSH) with my preceptor, Heidi Honeycutt, I have gained a better understanding of the role of the clinical nurse specialist (CNS). Although all of the roles of the CNS are important, to be an effective and competent advanced practice nurse (APN), a CNS must have strong leadership skills. Leadership in a CNS role includes the ability to perform clinical research, guide change, model behaviors that lead to best patient outcomes, and develop trusting relationships with staff and patients in order to promote the facilitation of learning and communication. My preceptor has the knowledge and theoretical framework to accomplish the CNS role on a day-to-day basis, but what sets her apart and makes her a competent APN are her strong leadership skills. The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the role of the CNS as a leader and how having a better understanding of this role contributes to my professional and personal growth.Clinical Nurse Roles Essay

ORDER  HERE A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

According to Hamric, Spross, and Hanson (2009), the role of the CNS was first developed to “(1) direct patient care to patients with complex diseases or conditions, (2) to improve patient care by developing the clinical skills and judgement of staff nurses and, (3) to retain nurses who are experts in clinical practice” (p. 349). While these functions still remain the foundation of the CNS role, APNs also have the vital role of modeling clinical behaviors, developing and maintain trusting relationships with the clinical team, and being an effective leader. My preceptor’s leadership skills can be clearly observed through the interactions she has with the clinical staff on her unit, even after stepping down from the CNS position.

Historically, the American Medical Association (AMA) has continuously contended the progression of nursing practice, in particular advanced nursing practice (Keeling & Bigbee, 2005). They have done so by opposing the advances of nursing practice claiming the broader and more specialized roles of advanced practice nurses (APNs), which includes diagnosing and prescribing, encroaches on physician practice and claim nurses are not educationally sufficiently prepared to take on these roles (Summers & Summers, 2007). The medical profession posits APNs should be supervised by physicians in their advance practice roles. Examples of such opposition are evident in for example AMA’s posting of a recent speech given by Nancy Nielsen (2009) Clinical Nurse Roles Essay
This paper will specifically explore the prescriptive authorities for APNs in the State of California and examine the CNS’s inclusion in this policy. Policy In Question In the State of California, the Business and Professions Code pertaining to Healing Arts, makes provisions for Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) to gain prescriptive authority (CA BRN, 2002, CA BRN, 2010). This policy stipulates this privilege to be accompanied with the stringent criteria that NPs and CNMs can only furnish prescriptions and medical devices under the supervision of a physician or under standard protocols sanctioned by physicians. The California Board of Registered Nursing (CA BRN) along with the State’s Business and Professions Code do not however, advocate for the inclusion of Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) amongst those APNs authorized to be able to furnish (California’s legal terminology for “ordering” medications) prescriptions (CA BRN, 2003). The only CA BRN policy affecting

Question 1 identify the educational preparation and role(s) of the clinical nurse leader (CNL) designation. Give an example of how the CNL influences direct patient care whether in a hospital or out in the community.Clinical Nurse Roles Essay

Answer1 There are six elements to the CNL role, they are: leadership and change, interdisciplinary relationships, knowledge transfer, outcomes management, clinician at the point of care, and professional development.
CNLs should be assigned to a specific unit of the hospital or area. They are not a direct caregiver, but a facilitaor of direct care. They work with the healthcare team to provide support, assessment of patients that have complicated healthcare needs, discharge planning and rehab needs. They are a…show more content…
Client advocate: ensures clients, families and communities are well-informed and included in care planning and improving care. Also serves as an advocate for the profession and health care team. Educator, Information manager: able to use information systems and technology. Systems analyst/Risk anticipator: able to participate in systems review to improve quality of client care delivery. Team Manager: able to properly delegate and manage the nursing team resources and serve as a leader. Member of a profession, and Lifelong Learner: recognizes the need for and actively pursues new knowledge and skills as one’s role and needs of the health care system evolves. Reference American Association of College of Nursing (2012).White Paper on The Role of the Clinical Nurse Leader Retrived from: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/publications/white-papers/cnl Question 2 Identify advocacy strategies that you can use to create change in your current workplace. Answer 1 In a profession where others’ health and well-being are priority, there leaves room for neglect of those who are delegated to care for these people. As a professional nurse, there are many obstacles that arise and affect the care provided to a patient, as well as the livelihood of the nurse. The current deteriorating and unsafe staffing conditions in hospitals and other institutions prompts workplace advocacy as the universally appropriate concept for maintaining professional nursing practice. Common Clinical Nurse Roles Essay

Registered nurses are health professionals who bear the mandate of offering patient care services to ill and sick individuals in nursing homes and other clinical settings. As part of the larger healthcare community in a hospital environment, they take part in the administration of drugs and provision of care services. Also, they take part in the designing long-term patient care measures, use medical equipment, advising the patients and their respective families about their underlying ailments. Registered nurses are also involved in the performance of minor medical operations and the provision of continued patient care services after the patients have been discharged from the hospital amongst other health care operations. Nonetheless, it is worth to note that, the essential responsibilities of registered nurses tend to vary depending on areas of operations of the nurses. Registered nurses can assume the roles of conducting health care campaigns and education; they may be involved in making representations to various groups in the community or even working in hospitals. In retrospect to that, registered nurses can also work in private homes as well as in pharmaceutical companies amongst other healthcare environments. Thus, the roles that are played by registered nurses depend on where they work (Careers in nursing: Registered Nurse (RN), 2010).Clinical Nurse Roles Essay

I desire to pursue a masters degree in Nursing to become a Clinical Nurse Leader and be a voice for patients that are not able to advocate for themselves. As a clinic nurse leader, I plan to evaluate and help to improve the quality of care directed at each patient, focus on patient centered care plans and solve critical problems. Clinical nurse leaders (CNL) have the ability to harvest one on one interactions and build rapport with patients, improve quality assurance, assess health risks and promote patient customer service. Providing the best customer service is one of my goals for this profession. My motivation was my late aunt who was a caring and compassionate registered nurse (RN). On her day offs, she would go to her local department store to buy cosmetics and simple toiletries for her patients, visit them and give makeovers to the elderly women and men enhancing their beauty and handsomeness. My aunt enjoyed and loved her patients, built long lasting relationships and had so much compassion and empathy. Her dedication became a foundation in her honor for more volunteers to visit various nursing homes and comfort and accompany patients, my aunt is the reason why I wish to continue in my nursing career.

ORDER   HERE

A Nurse’s educator role that this writer selected from a handful of different function is
that of a staff development role. Although this chosen role is challenging, it is rewarding. A staff
development person can see the transition of a newly hired staff nurse and at the same time
continues to transform the experienced nurse’s competence in their field or practice. ‘Nursing
education strengthens professional competence and similarly strengthens personal character to
produce a nurse fit for all dimensions of practice’ (Glenn, 2014).
Education has such a crucial role to play; it is an instrument to develop an individual as a
whole. It is an opportunity for personal growth and success in life. Teaching a newly hired nurse
(either new graduates or experienced nurses); the educator can see instantaneously the growth
that a staff has accomplished. It is an achievement knowing that as a staff development educator,
one has contributed to this phase of their professional development.
DEFINITION and ROLES OF A STAFF DEVELOPMENT
A staff development person work in different practice settings and environment, some
work in the hospital, others work in clinical settings functioning in orienting, precepting and
managing staff nurses, new graduates and experienced nurses. They have a tremendous
responsibility, including facilitating the learning experiences of nurses, assisting in transforming
a diverse group of nurses in their practice that is safe, quality, and effective. According to
Swihart, 2009, ‘these practitioners are more than educators’. Further, according to The American Clinical Nurse Roles Essay
Nurses Association (2009), a staff development person is distinguished as a ‘professional
specialty based on the sciences of nursing, technology, research and evidence-based practice,
practice-based evidence, change, communication, leadership, and educations” (Swihart, 2009).
Through in services and competency management, the staff development person
addresses knowledge and skills related to environments of care, job functions, and
decision-making responsibilities. Provision of continuing education provided by the staff
development person helps nurses meet regulatory requirement like certification criteria, licenses
mandates, and The Joint Commission, among others as stated further by Swihart, 2009. It is of
utmost importance for nurse educator to possess an ability to guide learners on mastery of vital
skills and knowledge to transition them into highly competent, qualified nurses. ‘Through
continuing education and staff development nurses stay abreast of current best practices and
trends’ (Dorin, 2010).
Most frequently, “inexperienced faculty often thinks in terms of their own teaching when
the emphasis should be on student learning — a critical distinction’ (Penn, 2008). According to
the National League for Nursing in transforming nursing education, a position statement is as
follows: ‘Tomorrow’s nursing education must be research based, and it is best taught by
individuals who are prepared for the faculty role and who demonstrate competence in the
multiple components of that role’ (Ortelli, T., 2013). How effective was the teaching process?
Did the student achieve the objectives and goals of the For years, nurses have steadily been more
educated and adopting new roles for themselves, but the process has been slow and not enough
nurses are prepared for the challenges of the existing and future healthcare.Clinical Nurse Roles Essay
The breakthrough law known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), passed in 2010, ‘has
opened new doors to educational opportunities and career advancement for nurses’ (Stokowski
2011). With increasing faculty shortage, one has to step up and make a commitment to
withstand nursing profession’s future. Transitioning into the staff development role will be quite
a journey that requires a calling, a strong commitment that promises a bright future for nursing as
a profession.
Collaborative Aspect of the Nurse Educator Role
Critical in the art and science of teaching and learning is the educator and the students; it
is imperative to include in the educator role the collaborative aspect of the education, ‘to
determine the extent to which an educational activity is efficient, effective, and useful for those
who participate as learners, teachers, or sponsors (Bastable, 2008, p. 588). course? Did he/she
feel confident in what was taught and learned? With much stress towards evidence-based
practice, the essence of the teaching – evaluation method is a key. Teaching in nursing is a
complex activity that integrates the art and science of nursing and clinical practice in the
teaching-learning process (Billings, D. M. & Halstead, J. A. 2012, p. 9). As a nurse it is
invaluable to see how a new nurse on board during orientation period takes with them
information that is vital and empowering. As a person, it gives the writer pleasure to be able to
assist in imparting knowledge. Embedded in our role as nurses is the art of teaching. Teaching is
a major aspect of the nurse’s professional role (Carpenter & Bell, 2002, a cited by Bastable, 2008
p. 4). The magnitude of nurse educator’s responsibility to the learner sufficed to say is immense.
Resume/Experiences of the Preceptor
The writer’s preceptor’s work ethics and passion as an educator are the driving factor in
her interest on staff development area. Her preceptor’s/interviewee’s resume includes a 19 years
and more experience as a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor’s degree in both Medical-Surgical
setting as well as Psychiatry. She also has numerous certifications as Assistant Nurse Care
Coordinator, Certification in Psychiatry, and a Master’s degree in her field. The writer is inspired
by preceptor/interviewee’s commitment to the profession as a whole, her growth both as a person
and as a professional, and ultimately her role in aiding delivery of a safe and effective care that is
deserving of our patients/clients.
Development of Experiences to Meet the Role
The writer role as educator originated and continues to expand from as far as the writer
can remember. Being the eldest in a large family (5 brothers and 4 sisters), the writer rekindles
moments when she has taken on the task of teaching her younger siblings on how to read, solve
math problems, or help them with their homework and house chores. Never realizing that it
actually progresses into her role as a nurse! A solid foundation and first-hand knowledge of
academics and clinical background will guide a nurse in her pursuit to teach. Nurses ‘play a
pivotal role in strengthening the nursing workforce, serving as role models and providing the
leadership needed to implement evidence-based practice and improve patient outcomes’
(Bartels, 2005).
Being a good clinician however is not adequate as an educator. Essential to the role is
‘that a core of knowledge and skills entails the ability to facilitate learning, advance the total
development and professional socialization of the learner, design appropriate learning Clinical Nurse Roles Essay
experiences, and evaluate learning outcomes’ (NLN, 2013). In order to meet the role
expectations of a staff development person, the writer needs to develop the ability to have a
supportive, positive relationship with the staff and the institution, as well as the ability to
increase and sustain the role as a whole through knowledge of the latest trends in education
related to health care.
Nurses have tremendous, challenging, and rewarding roles. And as educators ‘nurse
educators must possess a solid clinical background, strong communication skills, and a high
level of cultural competence in order to succeed. 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, 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’ Clinical Nurse Roles Essay