Which organization’s definition of nursing includes the autonomous role of nurses?
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It’s well known that nurses are the backbone of a functioning healthcare organization. Not only do they provide patient care, but families, doctors, and administrators rely on their expertise and medical knowledge to help make critical decisions. Show
Even with all their expertise and deep knowledge of the needs and wants of individual patients, nurses are often without the authority to make decisions – even in emergency situations. This is why autonomy in nursing is so essential – it can save lives. When nurses have the capacity to make and execute decisions without having to first seek approval, patient outcomes improve, job satisfaction increases and the overall delivery of care is transformed for the better At its core, nursing autonomy is exactly what the term suggests: it allows nurses to use their training, critical thinking and knowledge about a patient to make a decision without the approval of a doctor or member of the healthcare team. This isn’t a new concept either. Back in 1990, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) created the Magnet Recognition Program which provides a framework for both nursing practice and research. It has 14 pillars, the 9th of which states that autonomy is:
The inclusion of autonomy as one of the main principles of nursing suggests that even 30 years ago, before technology and the digital age had even begun to change how healthcare was delivered, the ANCC recognized how important it was for nurses to be in control of their decisions. The two types of nursing autonomyIn practice, there are two areas that can help define when and where autonomy is called for. They are:
By being able to voice their opinions and knowledge in patient care and how events or decision-making unfolds in relation to them, nurses are able to inform larger structures and frameworks at an organizational level, thus removing barriers that may impede care on the floor. Examples of nursing autonomyNurses are making hundreds of decisions a day. For example, each time they walk into a patient’s room, look at vital signs and re-adjust everything from oxygen levels, administering medication to the angle at which a patient is sitting or lying down – these are all small, autonomous decisions. Administering CPR? An autonomous clinical decision. Delegating tasks? An autonomous nursing practice decision. Nursing staff have both the knowledge and skills to make more autonomous decisions in the workplace. Some of the benefits include: A reduction in 30-day mortality rates
Healthcare collaboration increases autonomy and outcomes
Not only did effective collaboration between nurses and physicians result in better clinical outcomes; collaboration actually increased autonomy as many of the traditional power structures are broken down and trust and confidence are increased between colleagues. Increase in job satisfaction
Enhancing nursing autonomyLike any job, the more educated and experienced an individual is in their role, the more confident they become in their abilities. That being said, there are many other methods and tools organizations can use to build upon the expertise of their nursing staff. Promote teamworkThe importance of a collaborative healthcare team has already been discussed, but its importance cannot be understated. Not only does working in a team with a wide range of skills improve individual performance, but a team can also act as both a support system to provide guidance and a knowledge center to increase proficiency. Actively encouraging staff to collaborate and ensuring teams have members with different skill and experience levels is a stepping stone towards more autonomy. Provide boundaries and guidelinesExpectations and trust can vary among organizations, teams and people. Setting clear frameworks and policies around autonomy provides nurses with the confidence they need to do their job without second guessing whether their decision will be questioned. As much of a nurse’s responsibilities include patient advocacy, having the confidence to make decisions on their behalf is crucial. Provide supportKnowing your superiors have your back is an important ingredient for the development and promotion of autonomy. This could be as simple as pairing a more junior team member with a senior one as a confidence booster, verbally affirming a decision that was made autonomously. Like any person, if someone fears criticism or prosecution for a mistake or doing something differently, they often feel undervalued which is a hindrance to autonomy. Be a trendsetterNurses got into nursing to provide care. Their days are full – even before the epic staff shortages currently facing the industry – administrative and non-clinical tasks being added to their workload is not why they went to school. As more digital natives enter the workforce, investing in digital tools and integrated technology can both help recruit and retain staff. Furthermore, streamlining workflows, automating repetitive tasks or leveraging data to increase collaboration and outcomes help nurses make better-informed decisions – increasing autonomy. Final thoughtsHealthcare is a team sport, and every role is essential, but nurses need to be able to practice autonomously and exercise independent judgment. The healthcare industry is on the cusp of change: in not just the workforce – but how they work. Autonomy is one of the main building blocks in creating this next phase of a healthy, engaged healthcare system. What is the definition of autonomy in nursing?[8,9,10] For nurses, autonomy is defined as the ability to apply professional knowledge to patient care and clinical decision-making.
What is the definition of nursing by Florence Nightingale?The Environmental Theory, by Florence Nightingale, described nursing as "the act of utilizing the environment of the patient to assist him in his recovery." Florence identified five environmental factors: fresh air, pure water, efficient drainage, cleanliness or sanitation, and light/direct sunlight which put the ...
What is nursing according to Virginia Henderson?Her major contribution was to define nursing as 'assisting individuals to gain independence in relation to the performance of activities contributing to health or its recovery'.
Who is a nurse according to ICN?“The nurse is a person who has completed a program of basic, generalized nursing education and is authorized by the appropriate regulatory authority to practice nursing in his/her country.
What is nursing definition According to who?Nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings. It includes the promotion of health, the prevention of illness, and the care of ill, disabled and dying people.
What is ethical autonomy nursing?Autonomy means that the patients are able to make independent decisions. This means that nurses should be sure patients have all of the needed information that is required to make a decision about their medical care and are educated.
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