Scope of Nursing Practice: Building Professional Identity

QUESTION

Title of Assignment

Professional Identity of the Nurse: Scope of Nursing Practice

Purpose of Assignment:

According to Larson, Brady, Engelmann, Perkins, and Shultz (2013), “the development of professional identity is a continuous process that begins with admission to the nursing program and evolves throughout one’s professional career in a dynamic and fluid process where interacting relationship of education and practice lead to self-reflection, growth, and human flourishing” (p. 138).

Larson, J., Brady, N., Engelmann, L., Perkins, B., & Shultz, C. (2013). The formation of professional identity in nursing. Nursing Education Perspectives.34 (2). p 138.

Course Competency(s):

Describe the foundations of nursing practice.

Explain the roles and scope of practice for members of the intraprofessional team.

Describe principles of effective communication in the healthcare setting.

Instructions:

This course includes a project with three parts. Each part builds off prior knowledge to help you create your nurse professional identity. In the first part, you examine the role of the nurse and scope of practice, which will help you identify the nurses’ role. In the second part, you describe the importance of the code of ethics in nursing, and examine the standards of nursing practice for the role you are obtaining during the nursing program. The final submission requires you to use the first two parts of your assignment to explain your belief of caring in nursing, describe your professional identity, and identify a potential professional organization that you may join to help support your development.

Content:

Prepare a two to three page written assignment that includes the following:

• Introduction to the assignment (sections of the assignment)
• Describe the importance of the code of ethics in nursing
• Identify the American Nurses Association Standards of Practice for the licensure you are obtaining (LPN or RN)
• Conclusion (reflect on the criteria of the assignment)
• Use at least two credible resources to support your findings. For example, one of the resources could be the ANA Standards of Practice, and another resource could be the ANA Code of Ethics. These resources must be integrated into the body of your paper using at least two in-text citations. Be sure to use proper APA format and style.

Format:

• Two to three page written assignment
• Standard American English (correct grammar, punctuation, etc.)
• Logical, original and insightful
• Professional organization, style, and mechanics in APA format

Resources:

Rasmussen College Online Library School of Nursing > Your Career > Jobs and Outlook > Professional Associations Tab

• https://guides.rasmussen.edu/nursing/jobsandoutlook

Writing Help

Rasmussen College offers many different resources to support your academic writing.

• Writing Help: How do I access writing support?

 Research Help

School of Nursing Online Guide > Nursing Research https://guides.rasmussen.edu/nursing/research

Before you begin your search, it is important to understand:

• What is a scholarly or peer reviewed article?
• What is the difference between evidence-based articles and scholarly, research articles?
• How do I know if a source is credible?

Use the links below when you are ready to start searching the online library:

• How do I find scholarly/peer-reviewed nursing articles?
• How do I find articles about nursing best practices?
• Discovery database: What is it, and how do I use it?

APA Help

New to APA?  Watch this video for a brief introduction:

• APA Quick Start

Want a more in-depth introduction to APA?  Watch the 30 minute APA Basics webinar:

• APA in 30 Minutes

The APA Guide contains all of the information you need to create a research paper in the APA style, including:

• APA Sample Paper
• APA Paper Template
• Examples of Reference list citations
• In-text citations
• Formatting an APA paper including the cover page

Integrating resources into your writing is a crucial writing skill.  Watch this video on how to paraphrase, summarize, and quote resources.

• Integrate outside resources into your academic writing

Learn more about creating a references list and how NoodleTools can help you by watching the webinar below or view our series of short videos:

• APA Reference List and NoodleTools Software
• NoodleTools Video Series

ANSWER

Scope of Nursing Practice: Building Professional Identity

Introduction

The development of a professional identity in nursing is a dynamic and continuous process that evolves throughout one’s career, shaped by the interaction of education and practice (Larson et al., 2013). Understanding the scope of practice and the importance of the code of ethics is crucial for nurses in establishing their professional identity. This assignment explores the significance of the code of ethics in nursing, identifies the American Nurses Association (ANA) Standards of Practice for the licensure being obtained (LPN or RN), and reflects on the criteria of the assignment.

Importance of the Code of Ethics in Nursing

The code of ethics in nursing sets forth the ethical principles and guidelines that guide the profession. It serves as a foundation for ethical decision-making and promotes the highest standards of care, professionalism, and integrity. The code of ethics provides a framework for nurses to uphold patient rights, maintain confidentiality, deliver culturally competent care, and act in the best interest of their patients. It guides nurses in building trust, establishing therapeutic relationships, and ensuring the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.

Identification of ANA Standards of Practice

For the chosen licensure (LPN or RN), the ANA Standards of Practice provide a framework to guide nursing practice and establish the expectations for professional performance. LPNs and RNs adhere to these standards to ensure safe and quality patient care. LPNs and RNs have distinct but interconnected roles and responsibilities within the healthcare team.

LPNs provide direct patient care under the supervision of an RN or physician. The ANA Standards of Practice for LPNs outline their scope of practice, including providing basic nursing care, administering medication, collecting data, and collaborating with the healthcare team. LPNs contribute to the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care within their scope of practice.

RNs have a broader scope of practice that includes comprehensive patient assessments, critical thinking, care coordination, and leadership roles. The ANA Standards of Practice for RNs encompass domains such as assessment, diagnosis, outcomes identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care. RNs collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, advocate for patients, and apply evidence-based practices to promote optimal patient outcomes.

Conclusion

Understanding the scope of practice and the importance of the code of ethics is vital in developing a professional identity in nursing. The code of ethics provides a moral compass, guiding nurses in upholding ethical principles and providing compassionate, patient-centered care. The ANA Standards of Practice outline the expectations and responsibilities for LPNs and RNs, helping nurses deliver safe, competent, and evidence-based care. By adhering to these standards, nurses contribute to a civil healthcare environment, fostering effective communication, collaboration, and trust within the healthcare team.

References

American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice (3rd ed.). Silver Spring, MD: American Nurses Association.

American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. Silver Spring, MD: American Nurses Association.

Larson, J., Brady, N., Engelmann, L., Perkins, B., & Shultz, C. (2013). The formation of professional identity in nursing. Nursing Education Perspectives, 34(2), 138-143.